Dhaka:
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma registered his best-ever finish on the Asian Tour by signing off with a a splendid final round 65 to take third place at the USD300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, here today.
Shubhankar totaled 270. His compatriot S Chikkarangappa (73) shared fourth spot with Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand (68) on 272.
Chikka, who has twice been in top 10 in India on Asian Tour events and twice won ADT events, shot a double bogey on par-5 17th and that pushed him down to tied fourth.
Another Indian to shine on the final day was Shankar Das (65), who registered his best finish ever outside India in an Asian Tour event.
At nine-under 275, he was tied-ninth with Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was off colour and shot four-over 75.
Rahil Gangjee (70) was tied 19th at six-under 278, while Khalin Joshi (69) and Sujjan Singh (71) finished tied 35th. Rahul Bajaj, who was in top 10 on first day, carded 75 and ended tied 41st, while Abhijit Chadha (76) was tied 54th. Amardip Malik pulled out of the final round.
Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong cruised to his maiden Asian Tour win as he finished with a four-under-par 67 to secure a two-shot victory.
The 23-year-old Thai, who held a three-shot lead heading into the final round, kept his composure to return with a round of five birdies against a lone bogey for a winning total of 21-under-par 263 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
Shubhankar credited his hot putter for a commendable bogey-free round highlighted by six birdies.
“I started very well. I birdied the first two holes. That made a lot of difference. I was able to ride on my momentum from there. I missed some opportunities for birdies out there but it’s alright. I think I played really well, especially on my back nine. I wasn’t in the mix so I didn’t think I had a chance. I just wanted to play my best,” said the 19-year-old Indian, who needed only 25 putts.
Thailand’s Sutijet Kooratanapisan mounted a strong final day charge with a 66 but was not enough to beat Thitiphun.
Shakhawat Sohel emerged as the highest-placed Bangladeshi for the second consecutive year at the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open after closing with a 68 to take sixth place on 273.
