India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar won the USD500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open at Pondok Indah Golf Course, writing himself into the history books as the first player to win the tournament on three occasions.

Bhullar produced one of the finest rounds of his career to return a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 for a tournament total of 20-under-par, two shots ahead of England’s Steve Lewton, who carded a 64, and compatriot Rashid Khan, in with a 68.

Khan had started the day in front with Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai but Bhullar was unstoppable and a man on a mission, making three birdies on the front, and four on the back – which included three on the trot from the 13th.

Bhullar showed no sign of Sunday nerves and put on a putting masterclass, holing brilliant birdie putts and crucial par saves, to record his 10th win on the Asian Tour and first since 2018. He has also won more titles on tour than any other player from his country.

“I played like a champion tee to green and gave myself so many birdie opportunities,” said the 34-year-old Indian, who won this event in 2013 and 2016, the latter win also at Pondok Indah.

“I was riding high on confidence, hit the ball really good. It is a great week, I had a lot of positive memories having won this tournament two times previous, that was definitely on my subconscious mind. The goal was just to go out there and give my 100 percent.”

Bhullar also won his first event on Tour in Indonesia back in 2009 and joins an elite group of players who have won a National Open in Asia at least three times. The list includes Peter Thomson, Hong Kong Open and Indian Open; Jyoti Randhawa, Indian Open; Adam Scott, Singapore Open; Jumbo Ozaki and Tommy Nakajima, Japan Open; Lu Liang-Huan, aka ‘Mr Lu’, Philippine Open and Taiwan Open; and Miguel Angel Jimenez, Hong Kong Open.

“This is my first win after becoming a father and I would like to dedicate this win to my 11- month-old daughter. Also, after over two difficult years because of COVID it’s just amazing the Asian Tour is back in this wonderful country. The support for me here has been incredible,” noted Bhullar.

Singapore's Jesse Yap closed with 70 to finish T39 on six-under-par, the same position as Malaysia's Ben Leong who ended his campaign with a solid 67. The other Malaysian who made the cut, Nicholas Fung, was T45 on five-under-par after signing in a final round 70. 

Results (Top 10 and ties)
268 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 68-67-68-65.
270 - Steve Lewton (ENG) 68-71-67-64, Rashid Khan (IND) 68-70-64-68.
272 - Yoseop Seo (KOR) 69-72-65-66, Chang Wei-lun (TPE) 67-64-72-69.
273 - Minkyu Kim (KOR) 66-67-74-66, Doyeob Mun (KOR) 71-68-67-67, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA) 71-63-68-71.
274 - Poom Saksansin (THA) 73-68-63-70, Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 64-67-72-71.