Major leap for Bhullar

And he couldnt be more literal with those words. Bhullar has been working with a sports psychologist,who sets the youngster specific targets for each days round. On Wednesday,he fell one stroke short of his targetted five-under,still it was enough to get him the prize. Working with Pradeep Aggarwal has done wonders to my confidence and the way I apply myself on the course, Bhullar said. The last year I spent doing well for a round or two,and then falling back. The key this season has been staying consistent. Theres a lot of difference between finishing first and staying second, he said.

Now that he has been able to bridge that difference,there might be a slight revision in his targets too. I think this experience will change my vision of how to shape my career. Playing on the Asian Tour has changed the way I approach golf,the way I think. This will be another big step up.

Near misses

Two weeks back,finishing second to the record-breaking Chapchai Nirat at the Sail Open in Gurgaon,Bhullar had left his caddy complaining about the players off day. There was a hint of personal bias to be sure,but the crest of form the Kapurthala boy has been on was too high to ignore. Last week,he followed that up with a last-round nine-under 63,a course record at Hua Hins Black Mountain Golf Club,to zoom up to tied fifth at the Black Mountain Masters.

Bhullar,who came through amateur ranks and won a team silver medal at the Doha Asian Games,also insisted on the importance of winning his first domestic professional tournament earlier in the year. Winning just changes your confidence levels. A professional win needs much more than holding your game together for four days.

In his first season on the Asian Tour in 2007,Bhullar had finished second at the Indonesia Invitational,watching from the clubhouse as Juvic Pagunsan eagled the last hole to steal the title from the Indians hands. Bhullar was in contention at last years Sail Open as well,at home,before his challenge evaporated. I have been doing well on the tour for a while now,so I was due for something big, he said.

And if you thought it was too early to plan his Scotland trip,Bhullar has even had that wrapped up. I was asking around if I can go practise at Turnberry this years venue,but was told it would be closed at the moment, he said. But Im definitely going there in June for 4-5 days to just get a feel of it.

That is,of course,before he gets to get the feel of the real deal from July 16-19. It will be just great to walk out with all those big names. Im going to relish the chance,and hopefully make a mark.