Randhawa eyes hat-trick glory

By Rohit Bhardwaj

New Delhi

Oct. 8: Ranked ninth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Jyoti Randhawa will set out to complete a hat-trick of titles at the Hero Honda Indian Open even as Sweden’s Daniel Chopra hopes for a winning return to his place of birth when the $1 million tournament tees off at the Delhi Golf Club here on Thursday.

Randhawa will face stiff challenge this time not just from Chopra and compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh but also from Asian Tour leader Mark Brown of New Zealand (who won the Johnnie Walker Classic earlier this year), 2005 winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and 2004 winner Mardan Mamat of Singapore.

"The biggest hurdle is myself. Daniel is a good player and Jeev is brimming with confidence so they will pose a strong challenge," said Randhawa.

Randhawa, who has clinched three Indian Open titles in 2000, 2006 and 2007, will become the most successful golfer in the tournament’s history after Australia’s Peter Thomson if he goes on to win the Asian Tour event. Thomson had won the title thrice in 1964, 1966 and 1976.

The Delhi golfer though hasn’t been in great form at overseas tournaments of late — missing the cut at the British Masters and finishing tied 76th at the Mercedes-Benz championship — but is considered a lion when it comes to playing at home. He had won the recently concluded DLF Masters in Gurgaon.

"Every time you tee off, it’s a new game. I was doing well in the beginning of the season but my performances mid-season weren’t too good. I will try to give it my best, that’s all I can do" the Delhi pro added.

On the other hand, Chopra, who returns to India after a seven-year absence, is still eyeing his first win on home soil.

"It’s exciting to come to India for the Indian Open with double the cash on offer. I haven’t won a tournament at the DGC and would love to win it," Chopra said adding, "Coming back here for the first time since 2001 brings back good memories. It’s amazing to see how the golf course has changed. The bushes are the thickest I’ve ever seen them at and it seems a very intimidating course now."

Chopra comes to the event riding high on his two PGA Tour triumphs including his win at the Ginn sur Mer Classic last season.

Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh — the highest ranked Indian golfer in the world — who is out to end his title drought on home soil on the contrary felt that the conditions at the DGC were not good enough to help him seize the opportunity after toiling on the greens for two hours.

"The greens are rolling nicely but I am still clueless about the course. I’ve played here many times... but I am still not comfortable here. It’s a challenging layout. I haven’t won a national Open and it would be great to do so," said Jeev who has been nursing an ankle injury since long.

Another player who is battling a wrist injury, Kolkata-pro S.S.P. Chowrasia will be hoping for a Delhi double when he kickstarts his Indian Open campaign on Thursday.

Chowrasia made a breakthrough win in the European Tour’s inaugural Indian Masters here in February and would once again aim to spring a surprise if his wrist works well. "It feels good to be back. I hope to play well and finish strong here," said Chowrasia.