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Indian golf unveiled a new star Sunday when Viraj Madappa hit a four under par final round 67 to take the Bangalore Masters aged just 20.
Madappa, cheered on by hordes of teenaged fans as he finished the $350,000 event on 16 under par, became the youngest Indian to claim an Asian Tour title.
It was a new boost for Indian golf, coming a week after Gaganjeet Bhullar’s win at the Fiji International, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours.
Madappa, who only turned professional in 2017, ended one shot ahead of Zimbabwean Scott Vincent who finished with a 68, Argentine Miguel Carballo (71) and Thai duo Suradit Yongcharoenchai (66) and Danthai Boonma (70).
He started the final day two shots behind leader Carballo at 12-under and tied for fourth place.
After a front nine with a bogey and birdie, Madappa holed four birdies on the final nine to complete a superb win.
Madappa birdied the 15th and 16th to take the lead and was two shots ahead going into the 18th as his rivals fell away.
“Last night I thought about a win, the winning putt and so much else, so I was kind of nervous,” he said.
“Then, to get my first pro win on the Asian Tour is a dream come true. It is yet to sink in.”
