India’s Gangjee wins Panasonic Open by single stroke

TOKYO: Indian veteran Rahil Gangjee held his nerve to win the Panasonic Open in Japan on Sunday by a single stroke, his first Asian Tour victory in 14 years.

The 39-year-old claimed the winner’s blue jacket at the 150-million-yen ($1.4 million) tournament by sinking a birdie at the last hole at the Ibaraki Country Club near Osaka. His final round 68 gave him a four-day total of 14-under-par 270.

Gangjee began the final day tied for second and one shot behind South Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung. But the Indian surged to the top with five birdies and two bogeys, while Kim slipped to joint-second after shooting three birdies and two bogeys.

“It’s been 14 years. I was shaking for the last putt,” an elated Gangjee told fans shortly after his victory.“I feel great. There is a lot of people to thank, obviously. But right now my mind is all over the place.”Gangjee birdied the par-5 second before taking bogeys at the par-3 fifth and the par-4 seventh.

He then birdied the 12th, 13th and 14th holes before finishing the final hole again with a birdie. Kim ended the tournament tied for second with his compatriot Hwang Jung-gon, who shot six birdies and one bogey on Sunday to lift himself up from tied-fourth after three days. Japanese star Shingo Katayama returned with a 72 on Sunday for a four-day total of 276 and finished the tournament tied for 14th.