Gurgaon boy Priyanshu Singh defeated Delhi's Kshitj Naved Kaul 3 and 2 to clinch the 115th Amateur Golf Championship of India title at the Classic Golf Resort, here today.
In the final played over 36-holes, Priyanshu, who also plays in US collegiate championship, was 1-up at the half-way stage without ever slipping behind Kshitij.
But the second round really tested Priyanshu to the hilt. Thrice he lagged behind 15-year-old Kshitij and by the 12th hole it seemed that Priyanshu has lost the momentum. But in a sudden turnaround he clinched next four holes via birdies at 13th, 14th and 16th and a par at 15th thereby getting an unassailable lead.
19-year-old Priyanshu, 4th highest Indian in World Amateur Golf rankings, was all praise for his young opponent.
"It was a great game. Kshitij surprised me with 11 birdies and a hole-in-one on 5th today. I am glad that I could control my mind in front of my entire family and friends who were following me all throughout."
It was also the collegiate golf experience in the US that helped Priyanshu to outperform his opponents in a grueling 6- day long tournament.
He said, "back in the US we have to play 54 holes in two days in most tournaments and that too there is no luxury of a caddy. One has to carry the bag for those 54-holes as well. Experience of playing in such tournaments has boost up my stamina and also my extensive concentration power. No wonder I wasn't exhausted by the end of the day today.
