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Chowrasia takes Indian Masters

David Birtill
11/ 2/2008

SHIV Chowrasia cut down some of the giants of the European Tour, including Ernie Els, to win the Indian Masters at Delhi.

And it was a true rags to riches tale for the diminutive 29-year-old, who was a caddie at Royal Calcutta, where his father was a greenkeeper, and who used to sneak on to the course at night to teach himself the game.

He began the day two shots off the pace, but a bogey-free 67 hoisted him into pole position at nine-under-par, winning by a two-stroke margin over Ireland's Damien McGrane.

Chowrasia is the third Indian golfer to win on the circuit. He collected a cheque for £211,612 and moved up to seventh on the Order of Merit.

He was also presented with an Omega watch by Bollywood superstar Abishek Bacchan, whose appearance at the prizegiving whipped the crowds into a state of near-hysteria.

With everyone expecting an early charge from pre-tournament favourite Els, it was Chowrasia who made the first move in the early stages, with three birdies in the first four holes giving notice to the rest of the field that he meant business.

He rolled in another from 50ft at the 11th and parred his way home as the rest of the challengers faded.

Even when he did miss the green, he held his nerve and lived up to his nickname of `Chipputtsia' with his accurate short game.

Spain's Jose Manuel Lara finished third on five under, while Els was among a group of five players in a share of sixth place six off the pace after his closing 71.

"On the back nine, I tried to make my pars and I am glad I was able to do that," said Chowrasia.

"It is the biggest win of my life. I can't describe my emotions. Only when I get back to Kolkata will it sink in. I feel that I have played very well and stayed calm."

Birchwood's Phil Archer, the region's lone qualifier, dropped eight shots in 11 holes from the sixth for a 77 and tie 48th.

Meanwhile, Steve Lowery won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in America, beating Vijay Singh in a play-off.