Haryana’s Veer Ahlawat achieved his best-ever finish in a DP World Tour event, concluding tied second after a stellar one-under 71 on the final day of the Hero Indian Open at the DLF Golf & Country Club. 

The 28-year-old, trailing leader Keita Nakajima of Japan by five shots, sealed his remarkable performance with an eagle on the last hole, finishing the tournament with a total of 275, four shots behind Nakajima.

Commencing the day from sole sixth position, Ahlawat, who had previously secured a tied fifth position at the Kolkata Challenge, shared the second spot with Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg and USA’s Johannes Veerman, both posting matching 67s on day four.

Expressing his delight with his performance, Ahlawat mentioned the significance of playing in front of his family, especially after recently tying the knot. In addition to the eagle on the final hole, Ahlawat’s card included birdies and four bogeys.

Among other Indian contenders, Haryana’s Manu Gandas and Punjab’sKarandeep Kochhar finished tied 11th and 13th respectively, with totals of nine-under 279 and eight-under 280. Star Indian golfer from Haryana, Shubhankar Sharma ended tied 31st after carding a second successive 72 on the final day, concluding with a total of 284.

At the top, Nakajima, who commenced the final round with a four-shot lead, displayed consistency as he extended his lead to nine after the front nine. Despite a slightly slower pace on the back nine, his 17-under par total secured him a comfortable victory over Ahlawat, Soderberg, and Veerman.

Nakajima’s triumph, achieved in just his 11th start, propels him to 13th in the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex and to the top of the Asian Swing standings.