Rising Indian golfer Rashid Khan today rode on his title triumph in the season-opening SAIL-SBI Open to clinch the top spot in the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Rashid's earnings stand at USD 54,000, way ahead of second-placed Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh (USD 33,000).
Faced with yet another play-off at the same event again, the talented Indian came good to lift the trophy this year.
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"I don't like play-offs. I played some seven play-offs in the last 14 months and I won only three. I lost my last play-off at the Bilt. It's a lottery," said Khan, who pipped Rahman to his maiden Asian Tour win with a birdie on the first extra hole.
The golfing Gods finally smiled on Khan as he erased the heartbreak of a play-off defeat at the same event a year ago, bringing back the cheers for the 23-year-old.
"You know it feels awesome. It's my home course and winning here is always special. I really want to thank DGC who gave me the facilities to practice here. It's amazing. I lost this event here last year. It was important and the way I started with the first day (61), it was amazing," said Khan.
Winning the SAIL-SBI Open presented by Incredible India was indeed great comfort to the Indian.
He knows all about near misses and to finally attain a grandstand finish is the perfect antidote to kick-start his 2014 Asian Tour season as he now has a winner's exemption until the end of 2015.
