Viraj Madappa becomes youngest Indian Golfer to win Asian Tour title

Bengaluru: Indian golf unveiled a new star Sunday when Viraj Madappa hit a four under par final round 67 to take the Bangalore Masters aged just 20. Madappa, cheered on by hordes of teenaged fans as he finished the USD 350,000 event on 16 under par, became the youngest Indian to claim an Asian Tour title. It was a new boost for Indian golf, coming a week after Gaganjeet Bhullar's win at the Fiji International, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours. Madappa, who only turned professional in 2017, ended one shot ahead of Zimbabwean Scott Vincent who finished with a 68, Argentine Miguel Carballo (71) and Thai duo Suradit Yongcharoenchai (66) and Danthai Boonma (70). He started the final day two shots behind leader Carballo at 12-under and tied for fourth place. After a front nine with a bogey and birdie, Madappa holed four birdies on the final nine to complete a superb win. Madappa birdied the 15th and 16th to take the lead and was two shots ahead going into the 18th as his rivals fell away. Final standings: 268: Viraj Madappa (Ind) (70, 65, 66, 67); 270: Danthai Boonma (Tha) (66, 61, 73, 70), Scott Vincent (Zim) (66, 71, 65, 68), Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Tha) (66, 69, 69, 66), Miguel Carballo (Arg) (66, 66, 67, 71); 272: Khalin Joshi (Ind) (67, 69, 64, 72), Honey Baisoya (Ind) (70, 66, 66, 70), SSP Chawrasia (Ind) (69, 65, 68, 70); 273: S. Chikkarangappa (Ind) (69, 64, 68, 72). Viraj Madappa, son of industrialist Pandanda Madappa and Vidya Madappa, who are now settled in Kolkata, trains at Tarun Sardesai Golf Academy in Kolar.