Chikkarangappa looking to gain experience in the pro world

S Chikkarangappa may not have set the course on fire on his professional debut as he used to do in his hugely successful amateur career but the talented youngster said he is looking at gaining nothing more than experience on his maiden season with the top guns.

Chikkarangappa, who made the professional grade after signing off tied ninth with a total of five-over 293 in the PGTI Final Stage Q-School at Royal Calcutta Golf Club last December, shot two-over 74 in the opening round of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

“It’s not the best start to my pro career, but I’ll take it,” the talented 19-year-old told Deccan Herald. “The hitting was very bad today and I kept hitting it in places where I’m not supposed to. Things like that happen. After the round, I went to the driving range and sorted it out. I’m confident of putting up a good show tomorrow and making the cut,” added Chikkarangappa after shooting three bogeys against a lone birdie.

Hailing from a humble background, Chikkarangappa made heads turn with some splendid show in the junior and amateur circuit but said he has not set any major targets this year. “The only target I’ve set for myself is to do well and retain the card. I’m using my maiden season just as a learning experience.

“The intention is to play all the tournaments on the Indian tour and a few co-sanctioned Asian Tour events. If I get a chance to play on the Asian Tour, I’ll grab that as well. More the better. It’s all about becoming a better golfer this year.”

Last year Chikkarangappa was overshadowed by his friend and City-mate Khalin Joshi, who won the IGU Amateur Order of Merit before scoring a six-shot win in the Final Q-School and narrowly missing the bus on the Asian Tour. On Thursday, Khalin showed his improvement with a level-par 72 round that left him at tied 29th.

Asked whether he was looking at extending his amateur rivalry to the pro world, Chikkarangappa felt it was a whole different ball game on the pro circuit. “Khalin and I have played a lot of junior and amateur events together and we’ve enjoyed our battles. However, the pro circuit is way different.

“The quality and competition is much higher. We are battling with a much bigger field. However, having played a lot of amateur events locally and internationally, it gives us a good head start. We’ve also played in a few pro events and know what it takes to battle it out with the big boys. We are excited about the challenge ahead.”