Press Trust of India
New Delhi, March 11: A second-place finisher on four previous occasions, Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia is hoping to be fifth time lucky and lift the trophy when he tees up at the USD 1.66 million Indian Open next week.
The EurAsia Cup star was defeated in a play-off to eventual champion Anirban Lahiri last year but he remains hopeful of landing the prestigious title when the event takes place at the Delhi Golf Club, March 17-20. He also finished second in 1999, 2006 and 2013.
“The Indian Open is the biggest event in my country and every Indian golfer wants to win it. When I lose in any tournament, I realise I learn from it and that helps me improve. I’ve come close so many times so I’m a bit disappointed but this is part of golf,” said Chawrasia.
“I’m very excited to play at Delhi again because I always have good results. All the Indian players know how to tackle the course and my game is slowly getting better so I’m feeling confident,” he said.
Chawrasia will be among a strong cast at the Indian Open which include title holder Lahiri, three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, current Order of Merit leader Marcus Fraser of Australia and two-time Asian Tour number one Jeev Milkha Singh.
Asia’s rising stars Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, Natipong Srithong of Thailand, Danthai Boonma and Chiragh Kumar, who won his first Asian Tour title at the Delhi course last year, will also feature in event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the second consecutive year.
Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, Jeunghun Wang of Korea, Carlos Pigem of Spain, Paul Peterson of the United States, Sam Brazel of Australia and Thanyakon Khrongpha of Thailand are among the players hoping to secure their first Asian Tour title after coming close on numerous occasions.
