Indian Open golf: Despite three consecutive bogies on final five holes, Nakajima strolls to victory; Indian Veer Ahlawat finishes tied-second with gutsy eagle

By the sixth hole, three birdies already in tow, the rest of the round became a slow-paced wait for glory for Japan’s Keita Nakajima, who despite hitting a double bogey and three consecutive bogies in the final five holes, strolled to the 2024 Hero Indian Open title here on Sunday.

The 23-year-old earned his card by topping the Order of Merit on the Japanese Tour last year. On just his 11th appearance on the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) he won his first title in utterly dominant fashion at the DLF G&CC finishing seventeen under par – a winning-score record on this course – despite his nervy finish that led to a one-over 73 on the final day.

The local crowd also had reason to cheer as Veer Ahlawat hit an impressive one-under 71, with a gutsy eagle that received a raucous round of applause on the final hole, to finish tied second – alongside Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg and United States’ Johannes Veerman – with a final score of thirteen under par.

This course has held a reputation for being intimidating, but after friendly conditions aiding low-scoring, tricky pin positions and plenty of wind made things more challenging on Sunday.

2024 Indian Open champion Veer Ahlawat (PHOTO: Getty Images via Indian Open)

Ultimately, Nakajima’s four-stroke win does not do justice to the comfort he has felt at the very top ever since he shot back-to-back seven-under 65s in the first two rounds. It had been accuracy off the tee, and his fearlessness in going for the flag that put him in command here this week, and that is exactly how he, at one stage, fashioned a nine-stroke lead (which would have also broken the record for the winning margin at the Indian Open).

However, in conditions that proved to be more challenging than in the first three days, nerves came into play on the back nine, as he would attempt to explain even in mono-syllabic English.

“I was very nervous. You know, in the back nine there are many tough holes. I had a tough back nine but I played well and played comfortably and (after) talking with my colleagues, I relaxed and played a couple of holes,” he said at the post-event press conference.

The four-stroke lead that the Japanese had fashioned before the final round allowed him to power through to a career-defining win. Lofty expectations, of qualifying for the Olympics, alongside ‘idol’ and ‘Japanese superstar’ Hideki Matsuyama, and playing the PGA Tour in 2025, are next on the radar.

“I want to also play in the Japan team (in Paris) with probably Hideki. That’s my goal. I’m going to try it,” he said.

‘Finishing second felt like a win’

Home advantage evaded the Indians who missed the opportunity to be aggressive and score well with conditions being easier than they usually are on this course. Only eight made the cut and three finished in the top 20.

But Ahlawat’s final-day heroics allowed for some reprieve, for both him and an expectant crowd. “Midway through the round we were all fighting for second, with (Nakajima) already so far ahead, it felt like a win. To finish with an eagle, in front of my home crowd, I actually felt like I won this tournament,” he said.

Ahlawat would explain how the expectations of a home tournament can have a negative effect too. “There was some pressure on me this week as there were high expectations from me playing at my home course with my coach also being present here,” he said. “But I managed to put together a good week thanks to some brilliant driving and iron-play”

The 28-year-old was a late starter without a boastful amateur or junior record, taking up golf, like many of his peers on the Indian golf tour, thanks to his father’s background in the Army. The result here undoubtedly has the potential to take him to the next stage. As a top 10 finisher here, he will gain direct entry into the Korea Championships next month. As current topper of the Order of Merit of the PGTI, keeps him in good stead to earn a DP World Tour card next year.

“Playing well in such a strong field and negotiating the tough windy conditions on the final day really boosts my morale,” he said.

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LEADERBOARD:

1. Keita Nakajima (JPN): -17

T2. Veer Ahlawat (IND): -13

T2. Sebastian Soderberg (SWE): -13

T2. Johannes Veerman (USA): -13

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