On The Fairway

I think we were distinctly unlucky to be drawn into South Africa’s group. South Africa is the hottest team in the tournament and may well make it a hat-trick of titles on Sunday. We were also a little unlucky to lose to England when an upset looked very much on the cards. I hate to sound like a crystal-ball gazer, but the truth is, the future looks bright for Indian professional golf.

Coming back to the match against China, Jyoti Randhawa, Vijay Kumar and I played pretty solid, while the Chinese kept making the odd mistake. We were never really threatened. Jyo gave us a good start by beating their top player Zhang Lian-Wei 72-73, while Vijay won73-77 against an erratic Wu Xian-Bing. I played a level par round to beat Chen Jun 72-74.

The way I began my match is the way I’d like to begin everyday. On the par-4 first hole, I teed off with the driver and was left with a 108-yard shot to the pin. I hit a perfect sandwedge shot that landed about five feet above the pin and then spun back into the hole for an eagle. This is the second time in three weeks that I holed a fairway wedge shot. During the Trophee Lancome, I did the same from 105 yards.

Cheng bogied the second hole, while I birdied the third and that gave me a healthy four-stroke lead. When he double-bogied the 16th, it was well and truly over.

Wu began so badly with a double bogey on his very first hole that Vijay never had to extend himself much against him.

Jyo’s was the toughest match of the three. But he gave no chance whatsoever to Zhang, as he played a bogey free front nine, with a birdie on the fifth. Zhang was at him throughout with an even-par 36 after nine holes. Jyo let himback into the match with successive bogies on the 13th and 14th holes. And then came the 17th.

The Road Hole at St Andrew’s is a true test for any golfer. While Zhang failed to negotiate the intricacies of the hole and made a bogey, Jyo replied with a birdie.