AVANTHA MASTERS:AN OVERWHELMED Andrew Dodt was delighted to close out his maiden European Tour title after the Australian carded a final round of 68 to win the Avantha Masters by a stroke yesterday in New Delhi.
Starting the day one off the lead shared by seven players, the 24-year-old sank five birdies against one bogey to finish 14 under par, one shot ahead of Englishman Richard Finch.
“I can’t describe the feeling that I have now,” Dodt said. “To win a professional golf tournament is absolutely huge. I’ve come close a few times and to actually pull it off is a dream come true. This win is going to open a few doors for me and I’m really excited. I managed to hold on to my nerves today and I got the job done.”
With seven players entering the final round level at the top of the leaderboard, it always promised to be an exciting day at DLF Golf and Country Club. And so it proved. The lead changed hands several times, with Finch’s spectacular, six-under 66 at one point threatening to complete an unexpected triumph for the Hull golfer.
However, after reaching the turn three-under for the day, Dodt overcame a bogey at the 11th with what eventually proved to be crucial birdies at the 16th and last – the latter coming after he found the sand – to deny Finch.
Dodt’s previous best finish was a tie for ninth at last year’s Singapore Open and having recently taken up affiliate membership of the European Tour, he now finds himself thrust into the top 10 in the early Race to Dubai standings.
“The week has been awesome,” he said. “I was just hoping for a good week this week. I stayed patient today and did what I had to do and I played really well.”
Darren Clarke closed with a one-under 71, including an eagle at the last, which he had bogeyed on Saturday when still in the hunt, to share share eighth place on 10 under. He won €30,000.
Gareth Maybin spent a lot of money yesterday, closing with a 77 to drop to 44th.
And Shane Lowry also had a weekend to forget. A 77 on Saturday was followed by a 75 yesterday. He finished tied for 59th.
Finch, meanwhile, mounted his charge from down the leaderboard, reaching the the turn in 32 having collected five birdies and one bogey.
But he could only pick up two more shots down the stretch to eventually finish 13-under.
Compatriot Richard Bland was also chasing his first European Tour title at the age of 37 and Saturday’s 66 had catapulted him into a tie for the lead.
Two early birdies saw him keep pace, but he could not find the birdie he needed at the last to force a play-off.
Barry Lane (49), failed in his bid to become the European Tour’s oldest winner as he could only muster a one-under 71.
