Thangaraja secures Chennai Open victory

In the humid embrace of Chennai N Thangaraja conquered self doubt and a stiff final round test at the Cosmo TNGF Golf Course to secure another memorable victory on the PGTI Tour. The 44-year-old emerged victorious with a gritty one-over 73 on the final day, totaling 17-under 271 to claim a narrow a one-shot win. This marked his sixth PGTI triumph and second of the season, pocketing INR 15 lakh, vaulting from 12th to sixth in the 2025 Order of Merit. Victory was a nod to the relentless graft of the seasoned Lankan, who has made the grind on the PGTI his calling, building a repertoire of pinpoint approaches and unflinching putts.

The final round was a duel of grit and determination, the course's toughest pins demanding caution over flair. Thangaraja made a measured start, five pars punctuated by a bogey on the sixth as rivals surged. Yet his craft shone: irons finding green centers, two-putts preserving pars through the 14th. It was a classic round constructed in patience and persistence, and perhaps an ounce of belief from a 2022 runner-up finish in Chennai that fueled this mid-career rejuvenation.

The turning point? A sublime tee on the par-3 15th, followed by a five-foot birdie that reclaimed contention. A bogey on 16 tested nerves, but a six-foot par on 18 sealed glory, and a nod to a steady hand on the greens on a testy day.

"I stuck to finding greens and two-putting pars, knowing birdies were scarce," Thangaraja reflected, his words echoing the authenticity of a player who understands the value of discipline in the Sunday grind. "After that 15th birdie, confidence surged—I knew it was my day." This win, at a favorite venue, sets loftier goals for the season, his longevity a lesson in veteran wisdom.

Chasing closely, Noida's Amardeep Malik fired the joint-low 66, capped by a closing eagle, for a joint second at 16-under 272—his second runner-up this year. Delhi's Shaurya Bhattacharya burst out with four opening birdies, his aggressive irons dissecting angles, but bogeys unraveled the charge for a 71. Gurugram's Manu Gandas showed some early promise, but faltered from the eighth for a 73, good on the day but not nearly enough to challenge Thangaraja at the finish. Honey Baisoya claimed fifth at 14-under 274, his consistent wedges a testament to Gurugram's golfing heritage.

Pic: PGTI Tour