On the mark: city golfer set to play in Thailand

When Jeev Milkha Singh tees off in the Volvo Masters of Asia Open in Thailand on Thursday, the ace golfer will be joined by another player from Chandigarh: Rahul Bakshi.

When Jeev Milkha Singh tees off in the Volvo Masters of Asia Open in Thailand on Thursday, the ace golfer will be joined by another player from Chandigarh: Rahul Bakshi. Along with Delhi’s Rashid Khan, Bakshi has been chosen as one of India’s top amateur golfers to get an invite to play in the prestigious event.

“It will be a great opportunity for us. It is a big tournament and will give us a chance to pit ourselves against Asia’s best golfers. Jeev is in fine form and we would be happy even if we match 10 per cent of his potential,” Rahul told Newsline.

The last few months have seen the 17-year-old golfer winning the Nick Faldo Series in Brazil (November), apart from claiming the PSPB inter-unit golf championship title for Oil India Limited. “I was speaking to golfer Anirban Lahiri, who got an invite to play in the Singapore Open after world number eight Ian Poulter withdrew from the tournament. He told me that he learnt a lot from playing alongside the likes of Phil Mickelson and Jeev. I would like to end the season on a high note. A top-20 finish will be good for me,” said Bakshi, who was also in the Indian team for the junior world cup held last February.

Considered one of India’s top amateur golfers, Bakshi has no plan to turn professional in the near future. “I am concentrating on my studies and will continue playing in the amateur circuit for some time,” said Bakshi, who will be one of five Indians in the Volvo Masters of Asia Open.