Bhullar lifts Macao Open trophy for the second time

Macao: Gaganjeet Bhullar suffered a late stutter on the back nine, but was never really in danger on Sunday as he won the Macao Open for the second time and with it grabbed a eighth career title on Asian Tour.

Bhullar opened up a six-shot gap at one stage before winning by three to complete a stunning wire-to-wire victory.

Bhullar shot a final round of 68 that included seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. His total was 13-under 271 and he was three clear of fellow Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu, who at one stage held joint lead with Bhullar after the first two holes of the final day. Sandhu carded 70 and totalled 10-under 274 to finish T-2nd alongside Filipino Angelo Que (69).

Indians had a superb final day with Rashid Khan blazing the course with a seven-under 64 to reach 6-under 278 that saw him zoom to Tied-5th, as three Indians finished in Top-5.

Chiragh Kumar (70) finished T-19 at even-par-284 and Shubhankar Sharma (71) was a further stroke back in tied 24th.

Among the other Indians, Chikkarangappa (74) was 33rd at three-over-287, Himmat Rai (73) was tied 58th at eight-over-292, Khalin Joshi (74) was tied 66th at 10-over-294 and M Dharma (80) was 70th at 18-over-302. Daniel Chopra (71) was Tied-24th. Bhullar won $90,000 and became the first Indian to win the event twice.