CADDIE TO CHAMP, THANGA TRIUMPHS IN CHENNAI

Sri Lanka's Nadaraja Thangaraja, once a caddie at Waters Edge, has emerged as one of the most remarkable success stories in South Asian golf.

- By ALLAAM OUSMAN

At 44, the father of three is living proof that perseverance and passion can take one from carrying clubs to carrying trophies.

Last Friday, at the Cosmo TNGF Golf Course, Chennai, Thangaraja held his nerve to clinch the Chennai Open 2025, his sixth PGTI (Professional Golf Tour of India) title and second of the season. His gritty one-over 73 on the final day gave him a winning total of 17-under 271, edging out a trio of challengers by just one stroke.

"Today the pin positions were the toughest we've had all week, and that explains the high scores," said Thanga, as he is fondly known. "I just stuck to my plan of finding the greens and making two-putts. After the birdie on the 15th, I gained in confidence and somehow knew it would be my day."