Rising Indian star Bhullar (21) scores

first victory on Asian Tour

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
India ’s Gaganjeet Bhullar proved he was a star in the making when he secured his maiden Asian Tour title with an emphatic two-stroke victory at the Indonesia President Invitational today.
The 21-year-old fired a flawless five-under-par 67 in the final round at Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai course, Jakarta to make up for the heartbreak of finishing runner-up in the event two years ago
His four-day total of 22-under-par 266, which earned him US$63,400, was well clear of Australia ’s Adam Blyth, who shot a 68 for lone second place in the US$400,000 event. Thailand’s Thammanoon Srirot finished third on 269 after a 66 while Korea ’s Ted Oh was a further stroke back in fourth place.
“I’ve got no words to describe how happy I am,” said Bhullar, who was pipped by Filipino Juvic Pagunsan’s birdie-eagle finish in 2007. “I’ve been waiting for this for the past two years and I played really well today and I had a very good finish with a good score.”
Bhullar, who dropped only one bogey all week, took a one-shot lead into the last round after the third round was completed this morning. The supremely talented Indian got out from the blocks superbly with four birdies in his opening six holes, and made the turn with a healthy four-shot lead.
Playing in the fifth to last group after organisers maintained the third round pairings due to delays caused by inclement weather, Bhullar nailed his fifth and final birdie on the par five 13th hole before enduring an anxious wait at the clubhouse.
Blyth , playing in the last match, fought gallantly in his attempt for a maiden Asian Tour title but failed to catch the winner, making a two-putt birdie at the last to secure lone second place which was worth US$43,400.
“I was sitting in the clubhouse and I knew what happened to me two years back. Adam played really well but it is a relief now. I’ve won three times on the Indian circuit this year and my goal a few months back was to win on the Asian Tour and this will get me into all the co-sanctioned events now and give me a lot of confidence in my coming years.
“Definitely after this victory, many things are going to change in my life. I’m looking forward to it,” said Bhullar, who received his trophy from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Blyth , who started the final round one back, paid tribute to the winner. “The better man won today. I gave it all that I could and I am really happy with my performance and everything. He played better,” said Blyth , who now has 14 career top-10s.
“I hit it close and I putted well but they just weren’t dropping. I had a putt on the 16th which just stopped on the lip, so it wasn’t meant to happen .”
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
266 Gaganjeet Bhullar ( IND ) 69-68-62-67
268 Adam Blyth (AUS) 67-66-67-68
269 Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 67-70-66-66
270 Ted Oh (KOR) 68-67-66-69
272 Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 76-64-64-68, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 69-67-68-68
273 Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 72-68-66-67, Darren Beck (AUS) 66-73-69-65, Marcus Both (AUS) 66-70-68-69
274 Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-71-65-68, Scott Hend (AUS) 70-69-68-67, Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 69-67-69-69, Lee Sung (KOR) 67-67-71-69
275 Jason King (AUS) 74-68-65-68, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 68-68-70-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-67-70-69, Rick Kulacz (AUS) 72-71-66-66, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 66-66-71-72