Jyoti’s maturity has added an edge to his golf

No praise is good enough for Jyo. I have seen a remarkable transformation in him ever since he won the 1998 Hero Honda Masters. Not only has he matured mentally as a golfer, but the victory seems to have spurred his skills as well. He is in terrific physical shape and is belting the ball like a maniac. His putting has always been exceptional and once you have that combo – of hitting long and putting well – half your job is over.

The other half, maybe more than just half, is how you conduct yourself at the golf course. That is another aspect where Jyo has excelled. His confidence is sky high and he looks extremely relaxed. He is a very deliberate and methodical player on the course and is extremely focussed while playing. It was good to see him laugh and smile as he waited for the playoff with Sammy Daniels.

It’s now time for Jyo to broaden his horizons. I am sure a victory abroad will now be topmost in his mind. He already has had a string of goodfinishes on the Asian PGA Tour and was tied for the eighth place during last year’s Dubai Creek Classic, an event on the European PGA Tour. He was my teammate during the 1999 Alfred Dunhill Cup at St Andrew’s and I am more than 100 per cent sure that he will do well if he decides to play in Europe. What’s more, I will even have a partner on the Tour!!

Even before the Indian Open started, I had asked my friends to watch out for Jyo and Sammy. My reasoning was simple — the CGR is a very open course at the moment and with the roughs down, it just bows down to long-hitters. The only obstacle on the course would have been wind, but it refused to blow on all four days.

I feel bad for Sammy. He is a good man, but more importantly, he is a very good player. Three-putting the final hole for a bogey is no way to enter a playoff. Having been in many situations like the South African myself, Ithink he paid the price trying to do something extra on the playoff holes. He obviously wanted to reach the green in two and gave it all on his tee shot. The ball must have hooked a long way to go out of bounds. I think it is important in such circumstances to match your opponent and play solid, straight and safe.

As for myself, it was disappointing to sit out and watch others play. I consider myself as an entertainer and my prime job as a sportsman is to entertain the spectators. The wrist injury came at a very wrong time as I was longing to play in front of my home crowd. However, I am firm believer that whatever happens, there is a reason behind it. Maybe, bigger things arein store for me.