South Africa&aposs Thomas Aiken maintained his overnight lead to win the Avantha Masters by three strokes in Delhi, while Australian Scott Hend tied for sixth. Aiken carded a five-under 67 to finish at 23-under overall, three clear of local hope India&aposs Gaganjeet Bhullar, who finished his week with a blistering eight under. Aiken, 29, credited the second European Tour victory of his career to some consistent form over a prolonged period. “I&aposve been playing very nicely the last four months, not making a lot of mistakes, but just not sinking enough putts,” Aiken said. “This week a few went in, I hit some better iron shots which gave me a better chance to sink some putts, and I played some phenomenal golf.” China&aposs Wenchong Liang was third on 18 under, while Thailand&aposs Kiradech Aphibarnrat was fourth on 17 under – the pair both shooting final-round three-under 69s. South Korea&aposs Baek Seuk-hyun was fifth, a further stroke back after finishing with his best round of the week – a six-under 66. Tied for sixth were England&aposs David Horsey, Hend and Scotland&aposs David Drysdale – all on 15 under, with Horsey the best performed of that trio on Sunday with a five-under 67. French pair Victor Dubuisson and Julien Quesne made it into the top-10 on 14-under overall, and were tied for ninth alongside India&aposs Himmat Rai and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood. Rai shot a brilliant seven-under 65 – going bogey free in his final 18 holes and posting seven birdies. Other standout rounds on the final day included those from Argentine Emiliano Grillo (seven under), countryman Ricardo Gonzalez (six under) and India&aposs Rashid Khan (six under). Champion in 2011, India&aposs Shiv Chowrasia did not get close to those heights two years on, finishing tied for 67th on two under. Hend was the only Australian to feature in the top-20, with the next best Kieran Pratt tying for 34th on nine under. Darren Beck (tied 43rd), Scott Barr (tied 48th), Marcus Both (tied 67th) and Brett Rumford (tied 71st) were the other Australians in the field.
Author: Omnisport