Kapur eyes Bridgestone success in US

India's Shiv Kapur competes in this week's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, United States looking forward to a home-coming of sort.

The 24-year-old, last season's Rookie of the Year, qualified for the US$7.5 million start-studded event after winning last season's Asian Tour Championship, the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok.

He will line up alongside an elite field headed by defending champion and world number one Tiger Woods, who is fresh from his 12th major victory at the US PGA Championship at the weekend.

The talented Kapur spent four seasons at the Purdue University, where he was twice an All-American, before turning professional and he is looking forward to a trip to Firestone Country Club, Akron.

"I’m returning to the Midwest after spending four years in America. I've played a lot of golf in Akron, it's what you say my neck of the woods. I'm looking forward to this week," said Kapur, who is presently 15th on the UBS Order of Merit.

His first taste of rubbing shoulders with the world's greatest players came at his maiden major at the British Open in July where he missed the halfway cut by two shots. Kapur said that experience has made him a better player.

"I feel like my game is coming around. I was sort of struggling with the swing but I think I've found the key. My timing was a bit off but Arjun Atwal’s Indian caddie pointed out to me in New Delhi that my head was moving a bit. I’m hitting a lot better now."

"After playing in the Open, I won't be overawed again. It's great that we have access into World Golf Championships event as previously, Asians had very little opportunity to compete against the best.

"I'm grateful that my win at the Volvo Masters of Asia last year has got me into the Bridgestone Invitational and it also goes to show where the Asian Tour is. It's a great opportunity to play with the best in the world," said Kapur.

With no halfway cut, players are guaranteed prize money at Firestone and Kapur is set to bag no less than US$30,000, which will also seal his card on the European Tour for the 2007 season.

He is presently ranked 112th on the European Order of Merit and will have sufficient winnings after the Bridgestone Invitational to finish inside the top-115, which is the qualifying mark for playing rights for the following year.

"It's nice to know that you already have US$30,000 in the bag. So everyone will come out with the same mindset of playing aggressively to try and get into position. I think that's great. The way I'm playing, I'm looking forward to playing well in Firestone," said Kapur.

August 22, 2006

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