At the end of the first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic ? a European-Australian and Asian tri-sanctioned tournament that concludes at the DLF Golf and Country Club this weekend, the leader board was quite unpredictably dominated by Indians!
This is yet another example of how far the sport has come in the country. Considering the event saw participation from the likes of world number five ? Australian Adam Scott, Scotland?s Colin Montgomerie, Ireland?s Paul McGinley, Fijian Vijay Singh amongst other leading European and Asian Tour players, surprising names that sprang up after the first round were the likes of Shamim Khan, Rahil Gangjee, Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei, Arjun Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Digvijay Singh ? all within a few shots of the lead.
No longer dominated by their European or even PGA Tour counterparts, Indian professional golfers are counted amongst the best in the world and this comes shortly after SSP Chowrasia beat a field consisting of Ernie Els to win the first European Tour event in the country, the Indian Masters which was held at the Delhi Golf Course last month.
Though it is still early to celebrate another home victory at the Johnnie Walker Classic, the exciting fact is that it is no longer a distant dream. Professionals like Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa are ranked amongst the top-100 in the world and with youngsters like Shiv Kapur already well established on the European Tour, we will see a lot more Indian representation at the top.
We are ready to have our very own Indian winner on the PGA Tour ? though Daniel Chopra who fails on mere technicality, has already achieved that feat ? and the next generation of professionals will ensure that the local tour gets a boost as well. We already have two European Tour co-sanctioned events to boast of and everyone knows that India and China are the two countries where the future will unfold. With professionals like Ernie Els as well as golf development and management companies showing interest, more golf courses and tournaments are on the anvil.
There is also a lot of potential amongst the current professional golfers. While Shiv Kapur has a good head on his shoulders and is just shy of winning on the European Tour ? he has come close on many occasions and it is only a matter of time before we see him win something big ? others like Gaganjeet Bhullar are following in his footsteps.
Bhullar was recently picked up by BILT, who already sponsor Shiv and not surprisingly, the 19-year-old is in the reckoning on the Asian Tour almost every week he tees it up.
SSP Chowrasia has also decided to utilize his two-year exemption, earned after winning a European Tour event and plans to play the European Tour seriously. He is in talks with management companies and has already decided to take a fellow professional along as his caddie and manager.
It will definitely be a bumpy ride but he is sure to learn a lot and will only become a better and tougher player. And who knows, he might just win some more events out there. These boys have proved that ?anything?s possible?.
