Shiv Kapur is now in the lead at the Kensville Golf Challenge proving his histrionics yet again. After experiencing seven years in hibernation, the ace Indian golfer ensured that he get into two-in-two securing the third edition of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge golf at the Kensville Golf and Country Club on Sunday. Having been reached the final round with an advancement of four shots, Kapur had to go through an initial wobble, before stabilizing himself to card a one-under 71 and emerge victorious by two shots over Andrew McArthur (69).
Kapur compounded the tournament record 14-under 274 and on way he also set a new course of 65 in the third round. McArthur averaged 12-under 276 while four-time Challenge Tour winner, Philip Archer (69), who at one point of time reached within one shot of Kapur, completed third at 11-under 277.
The prolific golfer emerged as the second Indian winner of the Kensville Challenge after Gaganjeet Bhullar in 2011 and Rahil Gangjee was runner-up last year.
There was another good news in store for the ardent Indian fans, as experienced Mukesh Kumar (69) sank three birdies in last five holes to venture into a tie for fifth place at seven-under 281, while last year's runner-up Rahil Gangjee (69) and the 2011 Kensville champion, Gaganjeet Bhullar (70), secured a joint eighth spot.
Kapur got a cheque of Euros 32,000, while McArthur received Euros 22,000 and Archer was offered with a cheque of Euros 14,000. Mukesh obtained Euros 9,000 and Gangjee and Bhullar returned back with Euros 4,700 each. The prizes were distributed by Sameer Sinha, Jaxay Shah, Jigish Shah, Rajan Ghai and Inder Talwar.
Just after coming off the 18th green Kapur quoted, "Maybe with two wins in as many starts, I have got two monkeys off my back," Kapur included in the end. He secured the Shubhkamna Champions title in December and now the Kensville Challenge. "I have had a lot on my mind, while planning and getting ready for the Pearl Golf Premier League and this win does give a great feel. Maybe I am good at multi-tasking."
Reacting about his play at a later point of time, he said, "I started with 2 bogeys and made it tougher for myself and obviously both Phil and Andrew played great, Phil played well at the start and Andrew made a late charge, so they made it hard for me and in a way I made it hard for myself with the start I got off to," said Kapur.
"But never at any point did I feel out of control or I couldn’t get it back or any dire straits or such and I will put that to winning a couple of weeks ago, I felt pretty comfortable, I knew I was playing well, in a four round tournament you are bound to have few bad holes, but I was playing well enough to bounce back from that and I had two good birdies on 4 and 5 and still Phil kept coming back at me with few birdies."
