Anshul Mishra registers runaway eight-shot win to complete wire-to-wire triumph

Promising young talent Anshul Mishra completed a splendid wire-to-wire victory on the final day of the IGU Andhra Pradesh Amateur Golf Championship at the East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam.

On Friday, the 17-year-old shot a closing one-under 71, his fourth successive under-par score, for a magnificent eight-shot victory over Deepak Yadav. Mishra finished with an impressive total of six-under 282 at a course where conditions significantly impacted scoring.

Yadav shot a gritty one-under 71 in the final round to finish second at four-over 290, but two shots ahead of Vinamra Anand (75). Three golfers, Ram Singh Mann, third leg winner Ribhav Verma, and Arshvant Srivasatava, finished in a tie for fourth place at seven-over 293.

“It feels really good to win again,” said an elated Mishra. “I played well the whole week, I’m really happy with my performance.”

Mishra, who began the day with a six-shot cushion, may not have been happy, at least with his start — he dropped shots on the third hole (went left off the tee) and the sixth hole (missed a 12-footer putt). Fortunately for the Order of Merit leader, his rivals failed to challenge him.

That seemed to suit the 17-year-old Kolkatan fine as he picked up a shot on the seventh hole. Having extended his lead to seven shots at the turn, Mishra played much more freely thereafter, picking up shots on the par-4 12^th and the 15 holes to lay his hands on the trophy. This was the youngster’s second title of the season. After missing the season opener, he had won the Northern India Amateur two months ago.

Delhi’s Yadav, had to settle for the second spot for the second straight tournament. His one-under 71 helped him finish two shots ahead of Anand, the winner of the season opener on the IGU calendar.

Final scores (after 72 holes): 282: Anshul Mishra (WB, 70, 71, 70, 71); 290: Deepak Yadav (Del, 70, 73, 76, 71); 292: Vinamra Anand (UP, 74, 71, 72, 75); 293: Ram Singh Mann (Chd, 77, 73, 72, 71), Ribhav Verma (74, 73, 75, 71), Arshvant Srivastava (UP, 77, 73, 71, 72).