Indian golf’s ‘next big thing’ makes a mark

By qualifying for the British Open in style, Gaganjeet Bhullar has earned the label of ‘the next big thing in Indian golf’. The 20-year-old fired a four-under par 67 to win the International Final Qualifiers (Asia) for the prestigious event in Sentosa, jumping to top place from joint eighth, showing the kind of aggression needed to survive on the challenging pro circuit.

Starting the latter day of two at four shots off the lead, Bhullar said he was aiming for a five-under to achieve his childhood dream. “I managed to finish in four-under, but that’s okay. I’m really happy now that I’m on my way to the British Open,” Bhullar said after his score of 136. The manner in which Bhullar qualified was heartening because he has seen a number of runner-up finishes from the time he came second in a national level sub-junior championship 12 years ago. He was a silver medallist at the Doha Asian Games in 2006, and has had quite a few second-place finishes on the Indian Tour.
His second of two runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour, at the SAIL Open earlier this month, was not a deviation from the trend, but the Punjab golfer is confident he will not end up as a good boy who fails to win titles.

“My victory at Panchkula earlier this month (PGTI Players’ Championship) has changed the way I approach my game,” promised Bhullar, referring to his first win on the professional tour.

“Whatever doubts there were in my mind, have been removed over the past few weeks,” said Bhullar, who has been taking the help of Hyderabad-based hypnotherapist Pradeep Aggarwal. “I am getting more and more focussed towards winning. The therapy has helped me with my pre-shot routines and how I visualise my shots. I am sure the results will be there for everyone to see,” said Bhullar, who is based in Kapurthala.

It is not surprising that Jeev Milkha Singh has been a major source of inspiration, but Bhullar insists that his idol is actually the golfer’s father, Milkha Singh. “His achievements in athletics are legendary and I hope to have the kind of dedication he showed during his career,” said Bhullar.

But what kind of an influence has Jeev been on him? “Jeev and Jyoti (Randhawa) are always there for me and I discuss a lot of golf with both of them. Our conversations are usually around the approach and goals rather than the technicalities. But I would say both of them have been great support to me and I would owe a great deal to them if and when I call myself a successful golfer,” said Bhullar, who has three top 10 finishes in six tournaments on the Asian Tour this season.

“Jyoti has been closer to me because he plays in India a little more,” said Bhullar, who is the second best placed Indian (14th) on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Randhawa being the top from the country at third position.

But when it comes to planning his professional career, Bhullar seems keen to emulate Jeev’s success on the Japanese Tour.

“My immediate aim is to qualify for the Japanese tour because that is more likely to take you up the ladder both in terms of money and stature,” he said.