Viraj Madappa, Rashid Khan book spot for Asian Games

BENGALURU: Under the cosh after his rivals’ fightback on the fourth day, Viraj Madappa came up with the goods to book his spot in the Indian team for the Asian Games with a gritty five-under 67 on the final day of the golf selection trials at the KGA on Saturday.

Madappa finished with a best four-round total of 18-under 270, two ahead of Rashid Khan (71). Both Madappa and Rashid will join direct qualifiers Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma for the Hangzhou (China) extravaganza from September 10-25. Avani Prashanth, the leading amateur and touted as the next big talent to emerge from the country, clinched the lone spot in the women’s section.

She will join Aditi Ashok and Tvesa Malik, the two exempt players. Avani may have lost the five-round battle to the consistent Jahanvi Bakshi, but won the war as only the four best rounds were considered for selection. The 15-year-old shot a closing 71 to finish with a four-round total of 14-under 274. Jahanvi (70) finished on 12-under 276.

The Indian team:

Men: Anirban Lahiri, Shubhankar Sharma (direct qualifiers), Viraj Madappa, Rashid Khan.

Reserves: Karandeep Kochhar, Krishnav Nikhil Chopra (A).

Women: Aditi Ashok, Tvesa Malik (direct qualifiers), Avani Prashanth (A).

Reserves: Jahanvi Bakshi, Hitaashee Bakshi.