The 20-year-old Indian, playing in his debut season of professional golf, played an error-free card of six-under 66 to finish the tournament at 20-under 268, seven shots clear of Sri Lankan Mithun Perera.
Nepal’s best bet Shiva Ram Shreshta had an eventful final round of 70 to finish at third with a total of 276.[break]
Rashid received the winner’s cheque of Rs 6.46 lakh while Mithun was richer by Rs 4.46 lakh while Shrestha went home with Rs 2.5 Lakh.
Mandeo Singh Pathania and Harendra Gupta were tied for the fourth place at 280 while Shamim Khan finished sixth at 282. Nabin Mondal had a memorable top-10 finish as he ended up in seventh position.
Tashi Tsering emerged as the best amateur with a total of 300 and ended up in tied-33rd position overall.
The prizes were given away by Subas Chandra Nembang, Speaker Constituent Assembly. An interactive CD made by Surya Nepal to promote Nepal as a golfing destination was released by Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board. Nepal is also celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The final round promised a lot of fireworks as a large Sunday crowd had gathered to cheer their favorite player.
Mithun birdied the opening hole and reduced the lead to one shot before Rashid made consecutive birdies to restore his lead. A bogey from Mithun on the par-3 5th saw him fall back by three shots and as Rashid continued to flourish, it became more and more difficult for the others to catch up.
By the end of the half-way mark, Rashid had almost sealed his victory and the rest of the field was fighting for the bridesmaid position.
In fray apart from Mithun and Shiva were Harinder Gupta and Mandeo Pathania. The advantage changed hands amongst the quartet as all of them went for broke. While some were rewarded, the others paid the penalty as the golf course turned truant, especially with its greens.
It was heartening to see Rashid maintain his calm and not succumb to the challenges of the course as he posted three birdies on either nines to end up as the champion.
“My game-plan was to keep the ball in play and not commit any mistakes,” said Rashid who made just four bogeys for the entire tournament.
“I had dreamt of a victory in my debut year but I did not think so that it could come so early in my professional career,” said an ecstatic Rashid. "I dedicate this victory to my father for two reasons, first for sacrificing so many things to make me play and secondly as a birthday gift to my father who celebrated his birthday last Monday.”
Shiva meanwhile three birdies against a solitary bogey on his front nine while he had two bogeys and an equal number of birdies on his back nine.
“I did try my best to catch up with Rashid but he is a very solid player and rarely commits mistakes and today he played flawless,” said Shiva who is currently No.1 on the NPGA Order of Merit.
“After I realised that Rashid had gone far too ahead, I was gunning for a second place finish. The bogey on the penultimate hole killed my chances,” said Shiva.
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