Indian golf stars eye home win

NEW DELHI—India’s golfing heroes are confident of claiming big name scalps at the inaugural Indian Masters this week, knowing a win would spark huge interest in a sport that lags behind cricket.
Leading the charge is the powerful quartet of Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur, Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh, all of whom have helped put India on the world golfing map with their exploits on different tours.
A host of European Tour stalwarts, led by world number four Ernie Els, stand in their way, along with the cream of the Asian Tour. Atwal believes he can pull off a victory.
“I really do like playing here. In fact, my last win in ‘03 was on this golf course, so I’m looking forward to this,” said the Orlando-based star, the first Indian to win a US PGA Tour card and the first to win a European Tour event, at the Singapore Open in 2002.
“But I don’t think there’s really much advantage for the Indians, except for maybe the greens because growing up on these greens, you learn most of the lines on the greens.”
For Singh, India’s most celebrated golfer after receiving the Padma Shri (the equivalent of a knighthood) in 2007, the tournament represents a massive opportunity for the country’s emerging talents to showcase their skills.
“Having the European Tour here is the best thing that could happen to Indian golf,” he said, adding that he was playing well enough to be in the hunt come Sunday. “I’m playing really well at the moment. It all comes down to the putting,” he said.
“It’s a very demanding course and you have to be patient. Off the tee is the key. There is a lot of depth in the field, a lot of good players. But for an Indian to win would be the icing on the cake.”
Kapur is the local hero, having played the par-71 Delhi Golf Club, which was built on the site of tombs left over from the Lodhi Dynasty of the 17th century, many times. He is relishing the challenge after his top-25 finish at the Dubai Desert Classic last week.
“I’m excited about this week. It’s my home course and the pressure is always on you when you are the home boy but it’s something to relish and really enjoy,” he said.
“If I was to fancy my chances against Ernie and these guys I would say my best chance is round my home course. “If an Indian goes to win the event, it won’t be a surprise. It will be a reflection on the rising standards of our golf,” he added.
Randhawa could be the man to beat, having won four times previously at this venue, which has an almost mystical feel with the tombs dotting the fairways.
“I have won at the Delhi Golf Club three times on the Asian Tour and once on the Indian Tour, but it will be a lot more difficult to win because there are more world class players playing this week,” he said.
“But I do have a great record here and can take a lot of positives from that. “It is great for India and Indian golf that the European Tour is coming to our country.
The sport is growing fast and it will certainly help that we have players like Ernie Els in the field. I think the crowds will be amazing”.—Agencies