International Series India: Ollie Schniederjans' Strong Finish Secures DLF Victory, Bryson DeChambeau Runner Up

Gurugram, Feb 2: Ollie Schniederjans of the USA etched his name in the history books as he was crowned champion at the inaugural edition of the International India Series at DLF Golf and Country Club with a score of 10-under-par here on Sunday (February 2).

The tournament was held on one of the toughest courses in Asia, making Schniederjans' victory all the more remarkable. Only four players finished under par in the competition, highlighting how challenging the counters of this course are.

Ollie Schniederjans sends a strong statement

The 31-year-old American professional golfer, a former number-one ranked amateur and three-time NCAA All-American at Georgia Tech, took home the prize money of $360,000. Schniederjans' last major victory was in 2016 at the Korn Ferry Tour.

In December 2024, Schniederjans narrowly missed a spot in the LIV Golf League after tying for fourth place at the LIV Golf promotions event. However, he secured exemptions to participate in all Asian Tour International Series tournaments for 2025 and later accepted an offer to be a reserve player for the 2025 LIV Golf League.

"It means a lot to me," said Schniederjans, who was supported by his middle brother Ben as his caddie. "This golf course is very challenging, and back in the day, I would have had a hard time here. To come out and shoot those scores now, with everything I have been through, shows my game is better than it ever was. This win is proof."

Schniederjans' journey back to victory is inspirational. After undergoing hip replacement surgery on both hips in 2022, he was sidelined for over a year. His determination to overcome injury issues that had plagued his career since being the world's top amateur in 2014 has been commendable.

"It was a long process and took a lot of patience," Schniederjans shared. "I had to change my body and swing and learn a lot through that process. There were setbacks, but I knew something like this was coming."

Asked if he now sees himself joining a LIV Golf team in the future, the champion said he would wish to be a part of LIV Golf as he believes the team format is wonderful. "Absolutely. That is my goal now. I want to play on a LIV Golf team. I thrived in team events in college, and I love that aspect of the game.

"Golf can be a lonely sport when you're playing solo, but having a team environment, travelling together, and competing together - that excites me.
LIV Golf represents the future of the sport, and that's where I want to be," he added.

Title favourite Bryson Rues missed chances

Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, the biggest attraction of the tournament, finished second with an overall score of six-under-par, earning $220,000 in prize money. Despite a stellar bogey-free final round where he shot seven-under with five birdies and an eagle, DeChambeau's earlier rounds (71, 72, and 74) hampered his chances.

Reflecting on his performance, DeChambeau said, "I scored really well in the final round and made a lot of great putts. However, the double bogey on the 17th during my third round really hurt my chances."

On his maiden visit to India, DeChambeau praised the hospitality and the tournament's organization. "India is ready for golf to explode here. The Asian Tour has been fantastic, and I see great potential for the sport here," he remarked.

Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Abraham Ancer of Mexico finished joint third with a score of 71. Niemann's third-round score of 77 proved costly, as it hindered his chances of giving the Schniederjans and DeChambeau a run for their money in round four.

Anirban Lahiri best Indian at the event

Among the Indian players, Anirban Lahiri finished joint-tenth with a score of two-over-par, earning $32,083. Lahiri, who had a challenging third round of 79, bounced back with his best card of the week in the final round, shooting a four-under 68.

"The thing I liked most this week was my attitude," said Lahiri. "Even though we played 27 holes on the final day, I feel emotionally drained rather than physically. It's been a wildly successful week."

Fellow Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar finished T24 at seven-over, followed by Karandeep Kochhar at nine-over. Amateur star Kartik Singh, aged 15, became the youngest Indian to make the cut on the Asian Tour, finishing T53 with a final-round score of 75.

The next event on the Asian Tour calendar is the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport from February 27 to March 2, followed by the International Series Macau from March 20 to 23. The Macau event will be the second elevated tournament of the series, offering a pathway into the prestigious LIV Golf League.