Thangaraja defies odds to clinch Chennai Open title
Sri Lankan golfer N. Thangaraja emerged champion of the Chennai Open held from September 16 to 19 in Chennai where 57 professionals competed. From the outset, Thangaraja demonstrated poise and precision, carding one of the lowest cumulative scores to dominate the field with a final tally of -17, a winning margin that many will remember.
On the final day, Thangaraja triumphed with a hard-fought one-over 73 in an INR 10 million event, played at the Cosmo TNGF Golf Course in Chennai. His eventual scores were 69, 66, 63 and 73, and was the overnight leader by one shot, then came through by one stroke on a high-scoring last day as he totaled 17-under 271 for the week.
Thangaraja (in pink jersey) is showered by his fellow competitors following his epic win
The 44-year-old from Colombo, Thangaraja’s sixth PGTI win and second victory of the season saw him collect the winning prize of INR 15 lakhs that lifted him from 12th to sixth position in the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit. The trio of Noida’s Amardeep Malik (68, 71, 67, 66), who closed the day with an eagle, Delhi’s Shaurya Bhattacharya (67, 65, 69, 71) and Gurugram’s Manu Gandas (66, 68, 65, 73), finished joint runners-up at a total of 16-under 272.
Victorious Thangaraja was among the five overseas golfers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, who competed alongside 52 top Indian players. His compatriot completed at 38th with a tally of zero, but walked off with a prize money of INR 87,950.
Over four rounds, Thangaraja’s consistency was nothing short of exceptional. He opened with a steady 69, then improved to a 66 in round two. Round three saw his finest hour, a sizzling 63 that set the tone going into the final day. Though he cooled a little with a 73 in round four, his overall performance was more than enough to stay clear at the top of the leaderboard.
Calculating precision towards victory
What makes Thangaraja’s victory particularly impressive is how he navigated the pressure-packed moments. After three rounds, he had built a solid lead, but maintaining focus under final-round tension is rarely easy. He withstood any surges from chasing players, holding his nerve until the 18th hole, and sealing the tournament in style.
Thangaraja’s rounds displayed a mix of aggressive shotmaking and smart strategy. His third-round 63 was arguably the showcase, birdies came in flurries, pars were taken when needed, and mistakes were minimised. On difficult holes where others struggled, he kept control. That kind of disciplined play under varying course conditions demonstrated mental toughness and physical dexterity.
The Chennai Open, powered by CPCL, has once again produced compelling golf, and Thangaraja’s performance stands among its finest. Beyond the prize money, this title is a validation of his hard work, mental preparation and his ability to rise to the occasion. At 17-under, with four solid rounds, and with the INR15,00,000 purse to reward him, he has not just won, he has done so in style.