Asian Tour leader S.S.P. Chowrasia is back at the Delhi Golf Club. Without a clear favourite, the inaugural $300,000 Panasonic Open offers a good opportunity for the Kolkata-based professional to consolidate the gains following his spectacular triumph in the 1.8-million euros Avantha Masters in February at Gurgaon.
After that stupendous triumph, Chowrasia finished 49th, worth € 36,055 at the WGC-Cadillac Open but missed ‘cuts' in the last two events — Sicilian Open and Open de Andalucia — on the European Tour. After a week's rest, Chowrasia is looking to get back the ‘touch' that saw him win the prestigious 2008 Emmar Masters on the same course.
“It's still early days in the season but it'll be nice if I can give myself a good lead at the top. I'm playing well and it should be a good week,” said on optimistic Chowrasia after the pro-am event here on Monday.
Randhawa keen
If Chowrasia is searching for his third title on the Asian Tour, eight-time winner Jyoti Randhawa will be keen to end his drought of titles since the 2009 Singha Thailand Open. The duo is expected to find the fast greens to their liking. The sun-baked course also promises to help low scores this week. Most golfers in the fray will prefer to keep their driver in the bag on this unforgiving course. On the four par-five holes, the approach shots will hold the key.
Anirban Lahiri is another strong Indian contender. In the $300,000 SAIL Open last month here, Lahiri was an early leader but lost his way. He knows how to tackle the course. Lahiri's triumph in the Players' Championship last week should add to his confidence.
In-form Gaganjeet Bhullar, who could not live up the expectations in the SAIL Open, is expected to make amends this week. There are other home-grown contenders like Ashok Kumar, Sujjan Singh, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Mukesh Kumar, Manav Jaini, Digvijay Singh and young Rashid Khan — all capable of having their moments of glory.
Strong contenders
Among the overseas contenders, former Indian Open champion Thaworn Wiratchant, fellow Thai Prom Meesawat, Filipino Mars Pucay, Bangladesh's Siddikur have the advantage of knowing the course well. Japan's Kodai Ichihara, looking for his maiden triumph on the Tour, aims to donate more to the tsunami victims back home after winning here. The 28-year-old has been consistently donating to help relief works following the natural catastrophe.
“Life has to go on. We'll overcome all setbacks and show the world that we are strong and our lives will return to normalcy,” said Ichihara, eyeing the top prize of $47,550.
The event, among the low prize-fund championships on the Asian Tour, offers as much as the SAIL Open. But logistically, the event appears far better than the SAIL Open which drew flak from several quarters for its below par organisation.
The top three finishers here will earn the right to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.
