S.S.P. Chawrasia is looking forward to the defence of his Hero Indian Open title, saying he will ride on “positive energy” in a bid to hold on to the prestigious title.
The three-time European Tour and five-time Asian Tour winner is unperturbed by teeing up at a different venue for his home Open, with the Gary Player-designed DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon hosting the US$1.75 million tournament from March 9 to 12.
“This time, it’s going to be a different course (from the Delhi Golf Club) and it may have a different feel. However, I’m still very excited and I’m looking forward to defending my title,” said Chawrasia.
“I’ve played at DLF previously but it’s now a totally different layout. It’s going to be a new for everyone and I’m sure the set-up will be good. I’ve heard it’s a very tricky course.”
After a solid 2016 campaign where he won twice on the Asian Tour to finish sixth on the Order of Merit, Chawrasia has yet to get his game out of first gear in the new season. However, he is optimistic his fortunes will change when he steps into the DLF course as the Hero Indian Open champion.
“I’ve finished in second place on four occasions and to finally win it last year, it felt great. I was really happy as finally, I was the Indian Open champion and I had the trophy in my hands.
“It’s special because it’s our national event. It’s a very old tournament and every Indian golfer wants to win it at least once in their lifetime. When I arrive for the tournament every year, I’m always feeling very positive about myself. I guess it’s because I’ve finished well on so many occasions. There’s always a lot of positive energy when I’m at the tournament. I always feel good and I’m sure it’ll be the same when I get back there.”
Chawrasia’s joy at winning his home Open was meaningful, more so when he had to comfort his wife, Simantini, who was in tears after he finished second again in 2015.
“My wife was crying when I lost in the previous year to Anirban. She was expecting me to win the tournament and I said we can’t win every tournament. So, she was very happy when I won last year … she was jumping all over the place and it felt as though like she had won the tournament! I enjoyed watching her reaction. We had a great time.”
The Hero Indian Open is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Asian Tour for the third year in a row. Chawrasia will join a field including Spanish Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello, 2015 Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri, Australia’s Brett Rumford and Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
