Two weeks after his good friend Anirban Lahiri blasted the Q-School field for a six-shot triumph and took the big step into the pro ranks at the Golden Greens and Country Club, Abhishek Jha signalled his arrival on the amateur circuit with a brilliant victory at the very course.

The 6'5'' Jha not only proved he has the game to be one of the best amateurs in the coming years, but the temperament as well to stay there at the top. The Bangalore golfer might have been on unfamiliar territory last Friday, but he proved he is made of sterner stuff in the sudden-death play-off.

The tall Jha edged out the promising Ajeetesh Sandhu to win the LG Northern India golf championship, his maiden title on the Indian Amateur Tour. Since the start of the season a couple of months ago, Jha has been taking rapid steps towards stardom. A couple of fourth-place finishes have been his best, two of those coming at the beginning at his home club Eagleton and BGC. "It was always coming," Jha said about his victory. "I have been in fine form, but used to have one bad round in between. I had two bad rounds here too, but I got through in the end," he added after being the last man standing in a quality field

"It was easier with Anirban not there," Jha said light-heartedly. It sure was. For, Lahiri had finished with a seven-under-par 281 total last month, while Jha could manage only an 11-over-par 299. But then, the course played a trifle tougher last week.

"He is getting there," his coach Vijay Diwecha said. "His strengths are his putting and chipping, while he is cool on the course and doesn't get perturbed."

"Hitting it straight is still a bit of concern," noted Jha. But he did hit it like an arrow when the situation demanded, hitting a 368-yard drive on the play-off hole. He then chipped to four feet from the pin and tapped in for a birdie to walk way with the spoils.

Aggressive on the greens and armed with a good short-game, which golf is actually all about, Jha's immediate goal is to make the Indian team.

Only half-way through the season, it may not come as a surprise if he dons India colours by the end of the year.
"Our target is to finish in the top-four on the Merit List this season," Diwecha said. Coming under Diwecha's wings and with Lahiri as his playing partner, Jha's game has moved in only one direction – up – since he shifted base to Bangalore four years ago.

Though his desire is to turn pro, the affable Bangalorean is keen on representing the country. "Playing for India is my immediate goal. I'm looking forward to that," Jha said.

With hardly any preparation coming into the season, Jha will have every reason to feel satisfied that his game is going in the right direction. Just two days after finishing his Bachelor of Commerce exams in June, Jha swapped the pen for his clubs.

It is going to remain that way for the next year or so. If Jha's exploits on the fairways and greens continue unabated, his other dream of getting a Masters in Business Administration may remain just a dream. He sure won't be complaining!