Indian duo on the prowl in Pattaya

Indian duo of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Chiragh Kumar, both silver medalists at the Asian Games in Doha, will be hoping to emulate their idols when they tee off at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Wednesday.

Backed by their team silver medal which they earned on Monday, Kumar and Bhullar, who looks up to Indian stars Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur, are eager to face the pool of pros at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort.

“Shiv is my role model. He inspired me to be where I am today. Indian players who perform well like Shiv and Jeev definitely motivate us to do better. I want to follow in their footsteps and win it big someday,” said Kumar, who won two Amateur Open titles this year.

Kapur is also in Thailand hoping to defend his Volvo Masters of Asia title in Bangkok this week.

“We are both tired as we arrived early this morning but we are inspired for a good result here. It is a tough field and no one can tell what will happen but we will try our best,” added the 22-year-old Kumar.

His partner Bhullar has enjoyed a stunning year on the domestic amateur circuit winning six out of the seven events and with an Asian Games silver medal, the 18-year-old believes it is the right time to face the big boys on the pro circuit.

“Similar to Chiragh, I plan to turn pro after the Final Stage no matter what the outcome is. I had a good amateur life and now I am hoping to take the next step,” he said.

“I won six titles on the local amateur circuit while Chiragh was the only other winner this year. We have always been close and supportive towards each other,” said Bhullar, who also finished fourth at the Malaysian Amateur Open this year.

Highly rated Malaysian amateur Ben Leong, who hopes to turn pro after his Pattaya outing, will be banking on his good form and fond memories for a second title in Thailand.

“I won the Thailand Amateur Junior Championship six years ago which was my first ever competition in that country. I am playing well now with my top-10 finish at the Doha Asian Games. Finishing among the frontrunners here will definitely be one of my goals,” said Leong, the Putra Cup winner in 2003 and 2005.

Rey Pagunsan hopes to make the top-40 and ties at the Final Stage as he aims to join his nephew Juvic Pagunsan on the Asian Tour next year.

Rey, 38, had guided Juvic during his nephew’s early amateur days and he was delighted to witness Juvic’s rise to fame in the 2006 season. With the upcoming season fast approaching, Rey is now eager face his nephew on level playing field.

“I am looking forward to play alongside Juvic. I haven’t had the chance to speak to him since his Hong Kong outing but I am very happy for him,” said Rey, who had played in his first full season in Asia back in 1998. He is trying to earn his full playing rights after having lost his card the following year.

Other players tipped to make the grade are David Gleeson, winner of the 2002 Volvo China Open, and compatriots Jarrod Moseley and Lucas Parsons who are both winners on the European Tour. After having won the 2000 Philippine Open, Gerald Rosales will be looking to establish himself on the Asian Tour while Ron Won will have the support of his mom on the bag once again this year.

December 12, 2006

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