Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, who will spearhead the foreign campaign in the eighth edition of Panasonic Open India, on Wednesday hoped for a podium finish in the event in which so for only one non Indian has emerged winner.
The US$400,000 event to be played at Delhi Golf Club from October 25 to 28th will see a 126 golfers field battling it out for the top honours.
Australian Wade Ormsby, (2013) is the only non-Indian to have won the title in the previous seven editions.
Meanwhile following the footsteps of the 20-year-old Viraj Madappa, who won the Take Solutions Masters in his Rookie Year, three amateurs Aadil Bedi, 17; Kshitij Naveed Kaul, 17 and Yuvraj Sandhu, 21, who represented the country at the Jakarta Asian Games will turn professionals in this tournament .
Though defending champion Shiv Kapur is confident of retaining the title ,Tirawat, his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond and Siddikur are looking to achieve what Ormsby achieved five years back.
But it easier said than done as Ajeetesh Sandhu,who came in joint runner-up last year, is looking to go one rung better in his chase for a second Asian Tour event, which marks the Tour’s third stop in India this season
He sits in a current 34th place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, thanks to two top-10 finishes in Japan and Korea.
Taking to media persons,Sandhu,”I finished tied for second last year so obviously a lot of good memories out here. It’s a tough test every time you come back here so you got to stand up for it and looking forward to this week.
“The key to play well here is always to hit it good off the tee. If you can do that, you get the opportunities to go for the pins. You need to be very patient as well. It’s always important to stay patient on this course.”he said adding I’m looking to end the season on a high coming back to play on the Asian Tour these two months
On the otherhand ,after claiming back-to-back victories in the last two weeks, Tirawat is trying for a hat-trick. The Thai who turns 29 today,is keen to establish himself as a genuine contender.
Tirawat said he was confident with his game right now. “You need a good game plan around this course. It’s a very tight course and if you miss the fairways, it will be difficult to make par. I will focus on my tee shots this week. If you hit it good, you can get on the green easily.
He won his first Asian Tour win in Pakistan two weeks ago and then claimed again on home soil last week. ” It all came very timely because I turned 29 years old today. It’s a great birthday present for myself.
Jazz, a two-time Asian Tour winner, had contended for the title before settling for a tied-30th place result when he last played the Panasonic Open India two years ago.
“The last time I played here was two years ago. I remembered playing very well on the first three days and was playing in the final group with Mukesh Kumar before he went on to win the tournament. I didn’t play well on the final day but I know I can play well on this course.
I just have to try and play well again. I took a two-week break before coming here so I’m feeling refreshed.. I will try and play my best and hopefully end the season on a high” he said.
Siddikur, hopes to end his title drought when he competes on his favourite hunting ground this week.Placed 97th on the money list, he needs a strong showing to boost his rankings and hopefully break into top-60 by the end of the season to keep his Asian Tour card for 2019.
“I have a very consistent record here. I really like this golf course. It’s one of my favourite venue on Tour and obviously my records here show that. I have been coming to play here since I was an amateur. I also won here as an amateur back in 2004.
“The season has been disappointing so far but I am not worried. I am just focusing on what I need to do. I hope to give it my best again this week. This week is important for me. I have been struggling a bit with my back injury. It’s been about four to five years now. It comes and goes.” he opined.