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DAY 3
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DAY 1

January 29th 2011, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Gaganjeet Bhullar of India took home the American Express Bangladesh Open trophy on Saturday thanks to a rock solid round of one under 71. Bhullar totaled 14 under 274 for the tournament. Bangladesh’s Md Siddikur Rahman was the runner-up with a total of 12 under 276 after he fired a sublime six under 66 on the final day.

Gaganjeet Bhullar receiving the trophy

Gaganjeet Bhullar (68-71-64-71) wrapped up his 10th professional title and seventh on the Aircel PGTI after he posted a steady 71 in round four at the Kurmitola Golf Club. The 22-year-old Kapurthala lad’s victory made him the first Indian to win the Bangladesh Open on the Aircel PGTI.

Bhullar, the overnight leader by three strokes, made his first birdie of the day on the fifth courtesy of a good chip-putt. He converted another chip-putt for birdie on the 14th. Gaganjeet dropped a bogey on the 15th but then held on to his two-stroke lead with pars on the last three holes.

Bhullar said, “I was confident of coming through today. However, I knew I had to play a steady round and let the others, especially Siddikur, do all the chasing. I stuck to my strategy of going for pars, particularly on the back nine, as the pins were quite tricky. I just aimed to make the fairways and greens and then follow that up with two-putts.

“It feels great to win my second title of the year. Siddikur had a fabulous round and gave me a real scare but I hung in there till the end and just kept it in play.”

Md Siddikur Rahman (71-68-71-66), the defending champion, provided Bhullar with a stiff challenge on the final day as he made a charge with a brilliant bogey-free 66.

Siddikur chipped-in from the edge for birdie on the first and then almost pulled off a hole-in-one on the sixth where his shot hit the flag and landed four feet from the pin. Rahman came up with another fantastic tee shot on the 12th which ended up one foot from the hole.

“I played very aggressive golf today but didn’t putt well. I missed a number of birdie putts within 10 feet. Nonetheless, it was a good final round effort and gives me a lot of confidence going ahead into the Asian Tour season,” said Siddikur.

Shamim Khan of Delhi fired an even par 72 to finish third at nine under 279. Raju Ali Mollah of Kolkata was a further stroke behind in fourth position.