Vijitha Bandara clinches 8th NCR Cup trophy

1^st March, New Delhi: Gannon Dunkerley 8^th NCR Cup has seen a Sri Lankan winner second time in a row as Vijitha Bandara ran away with the trophy on the final day at the Delhi Golf Club. N Thangaraja who has turned professional now, won the trophy last year. Bandara shot four-over 76 for the total of 293 in windy conditions to lift the trophy.

India’s Prince Kajotia who has joined Indian Navy recently, returned with the career best finish after shooting three-over 295 as a runner up. India born Thai Samarth Dwivedi ended the day with 3^rd position as he scored 300 while coming from behind another Indian Lakhan Singh WAS tied for fourth place along with Amit Kumar at 303.

Bandara started the day with a birdie on 1^st and was one-over after front nine. After taking a lot of pressure on himself, 24-year-old Bandara dropped two shots and made a double bogey on 10^th. Number one on Sri Lanka amateur circuit, Bandara got confused in choosing the clubs on 11^th hole as the wind speed high and he used 3-wood for the tee shot where in he normally uses his 52 wedge. His best shot of the tournament came on the finishing hole where he rescued the ball from a difficult condition as he landed his tee shot in right bushes but managed a par with advice from his caddy.

A delighted Bandara said, “I am so excited to show the trophy to the defending champion N. Thangaraja in my country. The pressure, which was built on me throughout the day, helped me in choosing the right clubs at the right place. Though, I am not very happy to tell my today’s scores but I can take this kind of victory any day.”

Another highlight of the day was a hole-in-one on 7^th hole by Devendra Singh who finished 22^nd. Lakhan Singh took the longest drive challenge prize on 6^th hole, which was also a hat-rick in NCR Cup by him. Sunny Nagar won the straightest drive on 10^th hole.