Indian golfers shine in Asian Tour's first half

New Delhi, July 05, 2010: Gaganjeet Bhullar's second title on the circuit and a few top-10 finishes were the highlights of the Indian golfers' fine run in the first half of the Asian Tour events this year.

Even as the established stars led by Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur, are busy playing on European Tour, the new lot is on its way to make a mark for themselves.

The season began with the 21-year-old Bhullar winning his second Asian Tour title in a matter of months.

Bhullar, who also made his Major debut at the British Open last year, won the season-opening Asian Tour International and underlined his growing potential.

He had won the 2009 Indonesia President Invitational for his maiden triumph and had three other second place finishes and two other top-10s in a season that saw him finish in sixth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Even as Bhullar has been steady, Rahil Gangjee, who won in his rookie season way back in 2004, made a great comeback in the first half of 2010.

The smiling, slightly-built but long hitting Kolkata golfer, has enjoyed two top-10s and two other top-15 finishes in just six starts which has placed him 13th on the merit list, one behind Bhullar.

Gangjee was tied 14th at the co-sanctioned Avantha Masters on home soil and then finished 10th at the Maybank Malaysian Open where SSP Chowrasia was tied 19th and then added a tied ninth at the SAIL Open. In his last appearance on the Asian Tour, he was tied 13th at Queen's Cup.

"It has been a decent season so far and I hope to build on it in the second half which has many big events. I have worked hard on my game and the results are showing," said Gangjee.

Himmat Rai and Anirban Lahiri are two other fresh faced golfers from India to make a mark this season.

While both of them are still hunting for their maiden wins on the Asian Tour, they have had consistent results.

Rai has posted two top-20 finishes and Lahiri has one. But Lahiri, who had five top-10s last season, is looking at a breakthrough in the second half which is sprinkled with numerous big-money events.

From event perspective, Indian golf is placing itself as one of the premier halts with three high profile events. Even as Hero Honda Indian Open is one of the big events of the second half, the Asian Tour added the Avantha Masters, a USD 2.1 million event co-sanctioned with European Tour.

In the SAIL Open, which entered its third year, Indians occupied second to sixth places, besides another one in tied ninth. It was among the most successful home events ever for Indian golfers with six others in top-20.

Atwal signs off tied 41st at AT&T Nationals

Pennsylvania, July 05, 2010: Indian golfer Arjun Atwal was done in by a poor front nine as he turned in his worst card of the week - a four-over 74 – to sign off tied 41st in the AT&T Nationals.

Atwal, who got to play in the tournament courtesy a Sponsor's Exemption handed out by his friend and practice partner Tiger Woods, ended his campaign with a total of three-over 283.

The Orlando-based golfer, in joint lead after the opening round, was off to an ominous start as he stumbled to a bogey on the first hole.

His poor form continued when he dropped two more strokes on the third and sixth holes to make the turn three-over.

It was a similar story on the back nine as he dropped shots on the 12th and 14th. His only birdie came on the 16th but that was just not enough to change his fortunes.

Atwal, however, did manage to finish ahead of Woods (71), who ended tied 46th at four-over 284.

Englishman Justin Rose (70) picked up the title with a total of 10-under 270. American Ryan Moore (65) finished second at nine-under 271.

Jeev shines, Randhawa falters in Alstom Open de France

Paris, July 05, 2010: Jeev Milka Singh carded a second successive three-under 68 to notch up the best finish among Indians, signing off tied 16th even as Jyoti Randhawa slumped after faltering in the final round of the Alstom Open de France.

Jeev ended the tournament with a total of five-under 279 after striking six birdies against three bogeys in the final round.

His front nine was an eventful affair as he struck three birdies and stumbled to an equal number of bogeys to make the turn even-par.

But he made amends in a blemishfree back nine by striking three birdies.

In contrast, it was a final-round disaster for Randhawa who carded a 12-over 83. The Delhi-pro dropped five bogeys, three double bogeys against just a lone birdie in a horrendous performance to total five- over 289. Randhawa, who was tied fourth overnight, signed off tied 60th.

Similar was the story of Shiv Kapur, who carded a seven-over 78 in the final round to end with a total of 12-over 296 to be 80th on the leaderboard.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) picked up the title with a total of 11-under 273.