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Golf: India's 20-year-old Viraj Madappa wins Asian Tour title

Aged 20 years and nine months, Madappa has become the youngest Indian to claim an Asian Tour title.

Update:
Golf: India's 20-year-old Viraj Madappa wins Asian Tour title
MANJUNATH KIRANAFP

20-year-old golfer Viraj Madappa became the newest star to emerge from India as he claimed his maiden professional title at the Take Solutions Masters on the Asian Tour in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Cheered by dozens of teenaged fans, Madappa, who was tied fourth and two off the lead after round three, finished the 350,000-dollar event on 16 under par.

He came up with a determined four-under 67 in the final round to prevail by two shots as his tournament tally added up to 16 under 268.

The young golfer ended just one shot ahead of Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, who finished with a 68.

Youngest Indian to win Asian Tour title

Aged 20 years and nine months, Madappa became the youngest Indian pro to win an international title, beating previous record holder Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was 21 years and three months old when he won the Indonesia Invitational in 2009.

"Last night I thought about a win, the winning putt and so much else, so I was kind of nervous," Madappa said after his triumph.

"Then, to get my first pro win on the Asian Tour is a dream come true. It is yet to sink in."

The newly-crowned golfer, who only turned pro in 2017, also emerged as only the third Indian rookie to win on the Asian Tour after Shiv Kapur and Rashi Khan did so in 2005 and 2014, respectively.