Shiv Kapur to bide his time

It’s always been a ‘nearly there’ story for Indian golfers. The Jyoti Randhawas and Arjun Atwals have done well on the European tours but never managed a title.

Ask Shiv Kapur about how it feels to be there, and he sums it up perfectly. “You keep on trying but all the hard work goes in vain even if you come second best in the tournament. So many of us (Indian golfers) have been through this... and trust me, it’s really, really frustrating,” Kapur said, ahead of competing in the PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in England, starting Thursday.

Kapur’s story has been very similar to his peer group consisting of Randhawa and Atwal, among others. After turning a professional golfer in 2004, Kapur has been touted as the next big thing in Indian golf. He won an Asian tour event the following year, and was soon a European tour regular. But suddenly, his progress seems to have hit a roadblock. The best he has managed since the Volvo Masters win in 2005 is second place at the South African Open Championship last year.

The Delhi lad though is unperturbed. “Jeev (Milkha Singh) went through a similar thing in his career. After being touted as a rising star, he was nowhere to be seen for seven years until he won a tournament in 2006. Now he has achieved almost everything that a Indian golfer dreams of. I still have time on my side. It takes time adjusting to European conditions. I am sure my time will come pretty soon,” Kapur added.

The reason why Indian golfers tend to struggle in Europe after tasting success in Asia, he pointed out, is the weather. “You have to adapt to the conditions. We are not accustomed to be playing in the gusty winds, cold and rain,” said he.

Nevertheless, golf in India has come of age. With young players climbing up the ranks and that golf getting Olympic recognition, Kapur believes it is about time the government stepped in. “India’s success in golf has nothing to do with the system. In fact, we do not have a system,” he said, as a matter-of-factly.

“Whatever the players have achieved, it’s all due to individual efforts. There are no driving schools, no public ranges. I hope the government takes the sport seriously now, especially that it is a part of the Olympics.”

Bullish for the week
Relieved that the weather pundits have forecasted clear skies for the week, Kapur said he hopes to be in contention for this week’s PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Surrey. He is paired alongside Englishmen Steve Benson and Neil Cheetham in a tournament that features Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington.