Chowrasia wants to erase 2006 heartache

Last year's heartbreaking play-off defeat still lingers in the mind of S.P. Chowrasia and the Indian prospect knows only a winning week at the Hero Honda Indian Open will mend his misery.

Chowrasia will compete in this week's US$500,000 Asian Tour event at the venerable Delhi Golf Club from Thursday where he intends to improve on two previous runner-up outings in his home Open.

The 29-year-old had a 10-foot birdie putt on the 72 nd hole 12 months ago but agonisingly slid his attempt just past the hole. He subsequently lost to compatriot Jyoti Randhawa in a play-off that extended until Monday.

“I still think about last year's event. I had a putt to win in regulation but I couldn't put it in the hole. I had the confidence standing over the putt as in the previous three holes, I holed some good ones but the last one just didn't want to go in,” recalled Chowrasia.

With Randhawa back to defend his crown and last year's UBS Order of Merit champion Jeev Milkha Singh back competing on home soil for the first time since 2003, Chowrasia is happy to let his more famous compatriots hog the media limelight in a country which is witnessing a golf boom.

Chowrasia, who was also runner-up to Arjun Atwal in the 1999 edition, enjoyed a stellar rookie season in 2006 but is currently battling to retain his card where he is presently 59 th on the UBS Order of Merit. The top-60 will earn their full playing rights for next season and qualify for the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand in December.

Part of his woes has been due to the inconsistency with his driving. He missed the cut in Korea last week with a poor driving display but the slightly built Indian believes he has regained his form with the big stick.

“It's a big week. I'm feeling good. It's a nice course and the greens are playing great. My confidence is back. Last week, I played poorly in Korea. My driving was off the mark but I've worked it out and I have found my driving again. I hit it good, so let's see what happens this week. My timing was off, so I just practiced hard with the driver,” said Chowrasia. The Calcutta-based Chowrasia feels at home at the Delhi Golf Club which has lengthened several holes. “I've played Delhi so many times before and I have always finished well here. It suits my game,” he said.

“Last year, I putted really well. You don't really need to hit it long out here. The main thing is the putting. They have made some changes to a couple of the holes which have made it tougher. The par three seventh has been lengthened (by 50 yards) and the 10 th as well which make it tougher holes. Previously, I used a seven or six iron on the seventh hole but this week, I'm using a three iron rescue club. That's how much it's changed,” he said.

“I'm on the borderline of the UBS Order of Merit. However, I'm not feeling nervous at all as I've got a few big events lined up like the Barclays Singapore Open and UBS Hong Kong Open. I've got a few more chances to wrap up my card. It would be nice to secure my card this week with a good week. A win will be nice.

October 10, 2007

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