The lanky Bangalore lad closed in with a three-under 69 for a tournament total of 6-under 282. “I am thrilled to begin the new season on a winning note. I think the hard work during my off-season has paid off,” said a jubilant Abhishek who had scripted similar comeback victories at the LG Golden Green Open and LG RCGC Cup during the last season.

Overnight leader Saurabh Bahuguna after a disastrous back nine had to be content with a second place finish after shooting a 74. Pawan Kumar was sole third with a total of 289 while HS Kang, Vikram Rana and Rahil Bajaj were all tied for fourth place at 290. Amanjyot Singh was seventh at 292 while the leader on the opening day Kapil Kumar was tied for the eighth spot along with Arshdeep Tiwana at 294.

Everything was going fine according to the script until the 63rd hole on day when there was no disturbance of wind or harsh sun. Overnight leader Saurabh Bahuguna had managed to clutch on to his overnight lead, albeit cut to two shots instead of three by the challenger from the South Abhishek Jha, courtesy a birdie on the ninth. Just then the lanky amateur from Bangalore decided to play the game in a different way. Abhishek sank the 18-footer birdie putt, putting pressure on the leader who promptly bogeyed as not only parity was restored but went ahead by a shot. Reeling under pressure, Saurabh bogeyed the 12th to give a two-stroke advantage to his partner.

The issue was sealed on the par-4 13th when Abhishek stuck the ball to six feet on his second and duly completed the birdie putt. Saurabh three-putted from 20 feet to fall behind by four strokes, all this in a matter of four holes. Saurabh did try to go all out as he made consecutive birdies on the last two holes but it was not enough as Abhishek sustained his form to emerge as the winner. “The three-stroke lead was not threatening. I just wanted to make pars with an occasional bogey and I was sure that I would be in the reckoning. The formula worked,” said the 21-year-old.