Gaganjeet Bhullar faltered despite leading starting the final round
Gaganjeet Bhullar, the 37-year-old Arjuna Awardee and 11-time Asian Tour winner, saw his bid for a record sixth title in Indonesia slip away after a tough closing round at the US$2 million Jakarta International Championship, part of the Asian Tour’s International Series.
Bhullar, who led going into Sunday with rounds of 65-65-69, carded a disappointing four-over 74 to finish tied-19th at seven-under 273, five shots behind eventual winner Australia’s Wade Ormsby, who defeated Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe in a playoff.
The Kapurthala pro, a five-time winner in Indonesia including the 2023 BNI Indonesian Masters, looked in control after an opening birdie but stumbled with three dropped shots on the front nine. Two birdies after the turn offered hope before doubles on 15 and 18 ended his challenge.
Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa S. was the only other Indian to make the cut, finishing 70th at two-over 282 (69-67-72-74). It was a tough week for the rest of the Indian contingent, with eight players missing the cut, including Yuvraj Sandhu, the current No.1 on the PGTI Tour, who carded 71-78 (+9) to miss by a wide margin. Other Indians who missed the cut included – Khalin Joshi, Rahil Gangjee, Karandeep Kochhar, Ajeetesh Sandhu, SSP Chawrasia, Rashid Khan, Yuvraj Sandhu, and Shiv Kapur.
Thailand continued its dominance on the Asian Tour with seven players in the top 20, while Bhullar was India’s lone representative in that elite group.