Mumbai: Rashid Khan walked away as the champion of the Sunfeast Western India Junior and Sub-Junior golf championship despite a seven-over 77 in the final round at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) in Mumbai today. Rashid who was 14-under par for three days and was looking to break the all time high of 19-under at the BPGC, ended up with seven-under par 273. Chikkarangappa emerged as the champion in the `B' category. The 16-year-old Rashid, who held a 13-stroke advantage over the rest of the field, began with a solid birdie on the par-5 opening hole. But he found the going tough as he progressed, making three bogeys on the fifth, eighth and ninth even as a motley holiday crowd was following the leader.

On the back nine, he over-shot the par-4 11th and made a double bogey. A little later, he lost one more stroke on the 14th, missing a five-footer par putt. Rashid who had put up a brilliant display in the first three rounds was far from his original burst. A birdie on the 12th came as a solace but did not last long as on the par-3 17th he three-putted for a bogey.

However he was docked two strokes for moving the flagstick, which was about to obstruct his playing partner Chikkarangappa's putt while the ball was in motion. Hence he ended up with a treble for a disastrous final round of 77. "I did it in good intention but rules are rules. I have to abide by them," said a dejected Rashid. It was a mixed feeling for the youngster who is on a roll. "Although I did not like the way I finished, I am happy for back to back wins at the Nick Faldo Series and here at Sunfeast Western India," said the champion. (IANS)