Khalin Joshi, SSP Chowrasia Aim High at Queens Cup in Thailand
Khalin Joshi is hoping to take advantage of his recent good form at the Queen's Cup golf tournament.
Even as his inspiration Anirban Lahiri gets ready for the US Open in far-off United States, another young Bangalorean Khalin Joshi is hoping to take advantage of his recent good form at the USD 300,000 Queen's Cup golf tournament beginning here on Thursday.
A runner-up finish at the inaugural Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and earlier a 15th-place finish in Indonesia, have given the 22-year-old Joshi a lot of confidence. And he also hopes to build on the inspiration he got from Lahiri's recent form.
Among other Indians at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club will be SSP Chowrasia, who is coming after a short break from a shoulder niggle, Rashid Khan, Chiragh Kumar, Rahil Gangjee, Himmat Rai, Angad Cheema, S Chikkarangappa and Digvijay Singh.
The 22-year-old Joshi took advantage of his limited playing opportunities on the Asian Tour.
"I pressured myself and gave my 100 per cent to ace the Qualifying School for the past three years but unfortunately, I didn't make it through. I am glad that things have fallen in place now. I have contended in a couple of tournaments this season so I can't complain much. My current aim is to secure my Asian Tour card for next year," said Joshi.
Joshi feels a hot putter will help him to another solid finish at the Queen's Cup and give him a boost on the Order of Merit where he currently sits in 35th position with earnings of USD 35,453 from three starts.
He will also look to the accomplishments of home star and Order of Merit leader Lahiri for inspiration.
"Without a doubt, he (Lahiri) has been an inspiration and a great motivation to all of us in India. Looking at him doing so well makes me want to work harder on my game and try to get to his position in the near future," Joshi said.
Chowrasia, who won the Panasonic Open late last year, is looking to add more silverware and also wants to build on it to try and get back his European Tour card at the co-sanctioned events.
"I want to play myself back into form in time for the co-sanctioned European Masters and such events and back to European Tour," said Chowrasia.
Mardan Mamat, winner in Bangladesh, defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant, Pariya Junhasavasdikul, Chapchai Nirat, Thanyakon Khrongpha and Prayad Marksaeng, also a former Queen's Cup winner in 2013, are among top stars in the field.
Mamat will be aiming for back-to-back victories when he heads to the holiday isle of Samui.
Australian Marcus Both, Canadian Richard T Lee and Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh are also among leading contenders.