Rashid gets big break

No pressure
The soon-to-be 19-year-old is not new to playing in professional tournaments,having got several invites in his still-young career — the latest one the Cambodia Open in Siem Reap last November.

“As an amateur,there is no pressure or worry while playing a pro tournament. You are there for the feel,trying to get used to it,so there is a certain level of comfort. Having said that,you also have to make sure you don’t make a fool of yourself.”

The Delhi Golf Club player will be forced to miss the All-India Amateur in Pune that begins this week and though there is regret at that,Rashid knows it’s worth the disappointment. “The All-India is a huge tournament for every amateur. So yeah,I would’ve liked to play in Pune,but then,I have to focus on where I am and make the most of this chance,” he says.

Missed gold
The week before was not a great one for Rashid,who was in Dhaka for the South Asian Games. He only managed a team silver,losing out to Bangladesh in the team event,and had to see the hosts’ Dulal Hossain walking off with the individual gold as well. “It was unfortunate,we just couldn’t manage to put together decent scores early on,and from there it was just a catch-up game that we lost,” Rashid says. “It was a great chance for us because we had a strong team,but I guess you win some and you lose some.”

Rashid won two international titles last season — the Faldo Series Asia and the Singapore Open — besides steering the Indian team to victory in the Asian qualifiers of the World Junior Golf Team Championship,where he also took the individual title.

He’s off to China in March to defend his Faldo Series title and then there is the start of the next domestic season. Though of course,this week is at the forefront right now. “I can’t wait to get to the first tee on Thursday,” Rashid says.