American golfer Ollie Schniederjans Claims Stunning Victory at Int’l Series India

Gurugram, india – American golfer Ollie Schniederjans staged a remarkable comeback to claim victory at the International Series India, presented by DLF, in front of a packed crowd at the DLF Golf and Country Club. Schniederjans carded a final-round three-under-par 69, finishing with an aggregate score of 10-under to secure a surprising four-shot win over reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

As the DLF Golf Club is known for its challenging layout, so asked about what aspects of the game do Ollie think were really crucial in navigating the course successfully and securing this victory.

American professional golfer told Asian Community News, “Yeah this golf course demands everything you know you definitely have to hit it where you’re looking have to hit it straight have to hit it solid off the tee so i was i was very good off the tee um i had to get up and down multiple times that was really important. Just quality shots. You obviously would get very penalized with poor shots.”

“So nobody went mistake free, but you could make birdies if you hit perfect shots. And I was able to make enough birdies to, you know, balance out some of the mistakes, but yeah, what an amazing course, he added.”

The 31-year-old, playing with his brother Ben as his caddie, sealed his triumph with a sensational chip-in birdie on the 13th hole. Despite a seven-under-par 65 from DeChambeau in the final round, the American could not erase the eight-shot deficit he faced entering the day and settled for second place at six under.

“This means a lot to me,” said Schniederjans, reflecting on his hard-fought victory. “This golf course is very challenging, and back in the day, I would have struggled out here. But after everything I’ve been through, my game is better than ever. This week proved that.”

Lahiri Leads Indian Charge: India’s Anirban Lahiri ensured a top-10 finish despite enduring a challenging third round, where he shot a 79. Completing his third round on Sunday morning, Lahiri rebounded with a stellar four-under 68 in the final round, finishing tied for 10th at two over par.

“The thing I liked most this week was my attitude,” said Lahiri. “We played 27 holes on the final day, and while I feel emotionally drained, it has been a hugely successful week. I expected a great tournament, but what transpired exceeded my expectations.”

Lahiri, who played a key role in bringing the tournament to India, added that he was encouraged by his performance and looked forward to competing at LIV Golf Riyadh next week.

Tough Conditions Challenge the Field: The demanding Gary Player-designed course and persistent fog delays throughout the week forced organizers to implement shotgun starts for the final two rounds. Schniederjans entered Sunday with a three-shot lead after birdieing his first three holes in the resumed third round.

As the final round unfolded, he extended his lead to five shots at the turn. A spectacular chip-in for birdie on the 13th effectively sealed his victory, despite a bogey on the 17th. He safely parred the 18th, narrowly missing another chip-in for birdie.

Among the other top finishers, Abraham Ancer of Fireballs GC and reigning International Series champion Joaquin Niemann tied for third at two under par. Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who began the final round in second place, struggled to a four-over 76 and finished tied for fifth.

A Comeback Story for the Ages: Schniederjans’ win marks a significant milestone in his career after undergoing double hip replacement surgery in 2022. Once the world’s top-ranked amateur, his professional journey had been derailed by injuries, forcing him to take an extended break from the sport.

His return to form began last year when he finished fourth at the LIV Golf Promotions event, earning playing rights for The International Series. While he narrowly missed out on a full LIV Golf League spot, his victory in India has positioned him as an early frontrunner in The International Series Rankings, which offers a pathway onto the elite circuit.

“It was a long process, requiring a lot of patience,” he said. “I had to rebuild my swing and my body, and there were setbacks that took years to overcome. But I knew something like this was coming.”

DeChambeau Falls Short Despite Strong Finish: DeChambeau, known for his power and precision, made an aggressive push in the final round but ultimately could not close the gap.

“I scored really well and made some great putts,” DeChambeau said. “I got off to a hot start, but my ball striking wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I’ll need to figure that out before LIV Golf Riyadh next week.”

Strong Indian Presence in the Field: Several Indian players made their mark at the tournament. Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour champion, finished tied for 24th at seven over, while Karandeep Kochhar and Yuvraj Sandhu ended their campaigns at nine over and 11 over, respectively.

Fifteen-year-old amateur Kartik Singh made history as the youngest Indian to make the cut at an Asian Tour event. He finished tied for 53rd after closing with a 75, just behind seasoned professionals Shubhankar Sharma and SSP Chawrasia.

Next Up on the Asian Tour: With the International Series India concluded, the Asian Tour now moves to the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport from February 27 to March 2. Later in March, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn will mark the second elevated event of the season, offering further opportunities for players to earn their place in the LIV Golf League.

Schniederjans’ victory in Gurugram has set the stage for an exciting year ahead, proving that perseverance and resilience can lead to redemption on golf’s biggest stages.