Brilliant Bhullar sets his sights on Avantha Masters
By IANSMonday, February 8, 2010
NEW DELHI - Young Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar is all set to match strides with the best in world golf after making an excellent start to the new season.
Bhullar, the latest star on Indian golf scene, is now setting his sights on the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit crown, as he mounts a challenge at the Avantha Masters this week.
The 21-year-old triumphed at the season-opening Asian Tour International in Bangkok Sunday, coming from six shots behind to win with a closing 64 and said his confidence was now sky high.
On Avantha Masters, Bhullar said: “I’m sure my confidence will go a long way. I’m looking forward to next week. It’s a big event (Avantha Masters). I love the DLF as I’ve won there twice. Going back playing in front of the home crowd will give me a great sense of achievement.”
Bhullar, one of the first-time winners on Aircel PGTI Indian Tour, has now won seven times in just about a year - five times in India and twice outside. He is only the fifth Indian to win more than once on Asian Tour since it was formed in 1995.
The Asian Tour heads to India for this week’s Euro 1.5 million (approximately $2.1 million) Avantha Masters which is tri-sanctioned between the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). The event starts at the DLF Golf and Country Club Thursday.
India has produced three Order of Merit champions with pride of place going to Jeev Milkha Singh, who has won the accolade twice, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa. All three are playing at the Avantha Masters this week.
Bhullar sits on top of the first Order of Merit for 2010 after bagging $47,550 for his win in Bangkok.
“I’ll try to win the Order of Merit this year. This win has put me in a good frame of mind but I’ll need to win the big events which will be the goal for the rest of the year,” he said.
Bhullar underscored his immense talent at the Suwan Golf and Country Club to produce a scintillating course record on the last day. His four-day total of 11-under-par 277 was a stroke better than runner-up Hwang Inn-choon of South Korea.
“I’m glad and I’m lucky that it came my way. Starting the day, I thought Kiradech was going to win as he’s a great talent and a good ball striker. I guess I’m lucky the golfing gods were with me,” said the youngster from Kapurthala.
“I feel amazing. I have no words to describe, I’m totally speechless. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I just wanted to shoot a good number. I never ever thought I am going to shoot a 64 and win by one. It’s like a dream coming true. My first event of the year and winning at the start of the year will give me a lot of confidence.”
Bhullar, an avid internet surfer, added: “Saturday night, I was surfing the web and I clicked on asiantour.com and they had a poll ‘Who do you think will win the Asian Tour International’ and my name was there. I clicked on my name and I had the highest votes. I told myself that it was a bit of a disappointment that I wouldn’t win as I had so many votes. But it shows that anything can happen in golf.”
Hwang, who claimed US$32,550 for finishing second, lies one spot below Bhullar on the Order of Merit while Japanese Tetsuji Hiratsuka is in third on $18,300. Kiradech and Jbe Kruger of South Africa share fourth place on $13,545.
