‘Winning abroad is difficult’ Ra

For the second year in a row,the Delhi boy trumped the elite field at the Mission Hills Golf Club to retain the Faldo Series Asia title. It was a fitting end to a season in which he dominated almost every event on the domestic circuit. Rashid’s four wins on the amateur tour have handed him the Order of Merit title and the win in China has given him another go at the Faldo Series world finals,a field of top amateurs of the world.

But if last year was about being in awe of his first meeting with the six-time Major winner,this time,he left Faldo a little impressed.

“He came out to watch the 17th and 18th holes,both of which have hazards on both sides. I hit two drives bang in the centre,and Faldo told me how impressed he was with my hitting,” Rashid says.

His one-shot victory came after he made birdie on the last hole and this attacking game is the 18-year-old’s strength. “I prefer playing freely. It is important not to make mistakes,but you win when you try to,” Rashid says. “I knew Adrian (Jauregui) had made eagle a group before and that our scores were level. So I tried to be positive and attack. It worked.”

But there is a bit of a difference,Rashid says,in winning a big continental title from one at home.

“I know the whole field at home. When you play abroad,the players are unfamiliar,so you never know what sort of challenge you are up against.”

This was Rashid’s first full season on the amateur circuit,and he feels two more years of consistent low scoring here would be the perfect preparation for professional life. Then there are the Asian Games in 2010. “I definitely want to play for India at the Asian Games before I think of turning pro. I have my whole career to play for myself,so playing for the country would be great,” he says.

Rashid,who had once won a junior tournament by a record 22-stroke margin,seems to be a collector of records. His target for this amateur season is beating Gaganjeet Bhullar’s mark of winning five tournaments in a row. “I was stopped at three this year,so it would be nice to better it,” he says.

For the meantime,a bit of time off from frenetic travelling means he can work on his short game,specifically putting. And then,of course,there is the chance to get back to his old love of cricket. “I was a serious player before,an all-rounder,but now it is mostly a great way to relax when I’m at home.”

Top names line up for matchplay at DGC
The domestic season’s only matchplay tournament — the SRF All-India — will roll at the Delhi Golf Club from Tuesday,with some big names trying to edge up on the Order of Merit.

Fresh from his fourth place at the Asian Tour’s Black Mountain Masters the last week,Anirban Lahiri returns home to a refreshing change of format. “I’m eager to play this event as I haven’t played matchplay since I turned professional,” Lahiri said on Monday.

Gaurav Ghei and SSP Chowrasia are the other big names in the field as the 32 first-round matches take place on Tuesday. Ghei is facing Manav Jaini,while Chowrasia has Vishal Singh up first in the Rs 20-lakh event.

The morning’s first match will,however,be between the current Order of Merit leader Mukesh Kumar against former cricketer Ajay Jadeja. “It’s an exciting format. You might not be at your best but may still get lucky if your opponent is having an equally bad day,” Jadeja said.

Defending champion Arjun Singh opens his defence with a match against Joseph Chakola,who won through his place with a victory at the qualifying school earlier this year.