The last time I played the Indian Open, I was an amateur, and I topped the section. That was in 2000. The pro event was won by Jyoti Randhawa. As I took that amateur trophy, I also had a nice look at the Indian Open main trophy for pros. I thought to myself, hopefully I will win that some day. Five years on, now, I am into my first year on the Asian Tour as a pro and the Hero Honda Indian Open comes to my home course. This is the course I grew up on. I have watched some great moments, like Gaurav Ghei chipping in to win the Gadgil Western Masters in 1995.I was helping out a TV crew as a youngster and I was right behind the bunker from where Gaurav chipped in. I have played countless times with Gaurav since, and the course brings back such memories. Also, memories of Arjun Atwal winning here. These guys have all been terrific for Indian golf. I have looked up to them. I am coming off a very good streak with three top-10s in four starts. It now feels good to be in contention as the weekend approaches. That’s what I want to be doing — contend on the weekends. When you contend each week, automatically the win will come sometime.This week, the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) hosts the Hero Honda Indian Open, the best Indian golfing meet. The DGC is a shortish course as compared to many abroad, but it can be demanding and one has to be precise and straight. The Indians will be a big force on their home territory. Internationally, too, the field is strong with Thaworn Wiratchant, the Asian Order of Merit leader, in the field as also Mardan Mamat, who won the title last year. There are five Indians who have won the Indian Open six times as pros and Ali Sher has won it twice. And there are many more among Indians waiting to get their name onto that trophy. I will not hazard a guess on the winner, but I know he will have to play very well as the quality is very high indeed. Asian Tour events in India have provided numerous Indians winners in the last decade and hopefully this will be one more time.
