Bhullar urges govt support to take golf to masses

Kolkata: Ruing that golf is still beyond the the common man's reach, five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar today said it's high time that government support the sport with 2016 Olympics in mind.

"Let me tell you, golf is still not a common man's sport. With most of our golf courses run by the real estate, a middle class person cannot afford to take up the sport.

"Especially when golf is now part of the 2016 Olympics, I'm looking forward to the day when government play an active role. Things can only change the day Ministry of sports comes up with public driving course and golf course," the 25-year-old said.

The Kapurthala lad, who got this year's Arjuna in a first in seven years, however, said things were looking bright. "I'm really thankful to the Government of India for giving this award to a golfer after a gap of seven years. It gives a great sense of achievement... I hope it will take about 10 to 15 years time then the whole scenario will change."

World ranked 148, Bhullar is eyeing to break into top 50 by playing more at the European circuit in circa 2014. "Right now I'm world ranked 148. Nobody cares about that ranking. It's only when you come in the top 15 zone, people start looking at you. My goal is to come in top 50 by playing more in the European circuit in 2014, that's my goal.

"I played well in 2013. It started the year on a positive note, finishing second in the Avantha Masters. Then in the second-half, I won the Arjuna. The year has come to an end with an high winning the Indonesia Open (early this month)."

Fresh from his win at the Indonesia Open, Bhullar is part of a five sponsor spots to compete against the Rolex PGTI Order of Merit in the Year-Ender McLeod Russel Tour Championship beginning tomorrow at the RCGC.

Terming this an ultimate tournament in the PGTI Calendar, he said: " This is is of the biggest tournament in the PGTI Calendar Year, you have to respect that. At the end of the year, ultimately it comes down to this tournament. It's a great opportunity for the top six to win the order of merit."

Bhullar in Russell tour championship

Bhullar in Russell tour championship

Kolkata: Fresh from his win at the Indonesia Open, Gaganjeet Bhullar will bring in the spunk among five sponsor invitees who will battle it out with top 60 players in the PGTI Order of Merit in its year-ending McLeod Russell Tour Championship beginning at the RCGC tomorrow.

The five professionals playing on sponsor invites also include defending champion SSP Chowrasia, Anirban Lahiri, Jyoti Randhawa and Rahil Gangjee. Boasting a prize purse of Rs 1.35 crore, the highest-ever for a domestic event in India, the tournament will give the top 60 in PGTI's Rolex rankings an opportunity to end the season on a high.

Currently, Delhi lad Rashid Khan with an earning of Rs 41,80,634 leads the Rolex Rankings, followed by S Chikkarangappa (Rs 29.79 lakh), Shamim Khan (Rs 23.99 lakh), Angad Cheema (Rs 23.64 lakh), Mukesh Kumar (Rs 21.26 lakh) as the top five have a fair chance to win the Order of Merit.

Shamim Khan won the 2012 Rolex Rankings, while in 2011 it was won by Chiragh Kumar. "This is is of the biggest tournament in the PGTI Calendar Year, you have to respect that. At the end of the year, ultimately it comes down to this tournament. It's a great opportunity for the top six to win the order of merit," Bhullar said.

Taking form into consideration, Bhullar along with Anirban Lahiri, the fourth and fifth in the Asian Order of Merit, start favourite while defending champion Chowrasia has also prepared well for the tournament. "I had taken a week's break to prepare myself for this tournament. I'm happy with my preparation, let's see. But the field is very strong. It can be anybody's title. The golf course is playing very well."

There are eight foreign players in the field and the prominent names among them are Mohammad Zamal Hossain Mollah (Bangladesh), N Thangaraja (Sri Lanka), Mithun Perera (Sri Lanka), Shivaram Shrestha (Nepal) and Kunal Bhasin (Australia).

The eight Kolkata-based professionals in the fray are Chowrasia, Rahil Gangjee, Shankar Das, Feroz Ali Mollah, Divyanshu Bajaj, Rafick Ali Mollah, Raju Ali Mollah and Mohammad Sanju.