Taunk to turn professional

Having reined in his desire of turning professional for a while now, Karan Taunk has decided to finally take the plunge after the end of the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy.

Taunk, who finished second in the PGTI Q-School Final Stage this January but resisted competing in any subsequent events in the hope of playing the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy and the Asian Games, confirmed his decision after Tuesday’s practice round.
 “I will be turning pro just after this event,” said the 25-year-old Taunk, the lone Indian competing here.

“I will be taking part in the PGTI Players Championship at the Coimbatore Golf Club next week. From there I will be heading to Kochi and Nepal. I was really excited about turning pro but kept putting it on hold.I qualified to turn pro twice but I decided to wait as I wanted to play a bit more international tournaments.”

Asked what prompted the sudden change of mind when the Asian Games in just a few months away, Taunk said he had just waited for the Bonallack Trophy as time was catching up on him.

“I really wanted to play this event. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments and I wanted to be a part of it. When APGC gave me a call asking whether I would like to, I grabbed the opportunity as this was my last shot at it. 

“Once I turn pro I wouldn’t get a chance to be a part of this event and then there would be no looking back. So before I turned pro I wanted to take part in this and as many international amateur championships as I could.”

Despite being the lone Indian in the field, Taunk said he felt very little pressure.

“Not much pressure actually. It is good for me. I am a little nervous maybe but not feeling any pressure. When the squad was formed, it was about rankings at that time and I was the highest ranked Indian. Being the only Indian in the field is not at all an added pressure but it would have been nice to have another Indian in the team.”