England’s John Parry secured a dramatic return to the winner’s circle in the Delhi Challenge, firing a sensational seven-under-par round on the final day to triumph at Classic Golf & Country Club in India.
The 37-year-old Yorkshireman, who becomes a two-time winner on the Challenge Tour, carded rounds of 66, 69, 68 and 65 on his way to a 20-under-par total to win by one stroke ahead of countrymen Jack Senior and Chris Paisley, and the UAE’s Joshua Grenville-Wood.
Parry last tasted victory when he triumphed at the Vivendi Cup 2010 on the DP World Tour and was delighted to top the leaderboard again after 14 years.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve won a Challenge Tour or DP World Tour event, so I’m really happy. I’ve had some real ups and downs. It is tough. When you’re on your low points, it’s really hard, but I just love playing golf.
“Knowing that I can still do it is really pleasing. I’ve put all the hard work in but it’s about coming out here and getting it done. I knew my game was there, it was just putting everything together and holing putts at the right time.”
Parry started the final day three strokes off the lead, and after birdieing the opening hole, made two more gains at eight and nine to move into a five-way share of the lead at the turn.
He then birdied four in a row from the 13th hole before parring the 17th and 18th to set the clubhouse target – which couldn’t be matched.
Parry climbs to the top of the season-long Road to Mallorca rankings with victory, and he admits that winning at this stage of the year sets him up well as he targets a return to the DP World Tour.
“It takes a little bit of pressure off winning early in the season,” he added. “It feels like it puts me in good stead so early on in the season. The most pleasing thing is that the practice I’ve put in over winter, which I felt like was working, has actually worked. I’m feeling in a comfortable position for the rest of the year.”