I need to work on my mental strength: SSP

The ever smiling SSP Chawrasia descended in Bengaluru with a hope of claiming his seventh Asian Tour title at the TAKE Solutions Masters that began at the Karnataka Golf Association on Thursday.

Apart from a victory in the Hero Indian Open earlier this year, Chawrasia has endured a lacklustre run on the Asian and European Tour. The Kolkata golfer, however, has enjoyed a fine run in home conditions, winning back-to-back Indian Open titles in 2016 and 2017 but he just doesn't seem to get going abroad.

“I have won titles in the past but I feel I need to work on my mental strength. I'm losing tournaments because of my mindset and not lack of skill.

“It's the thinking process that needs to change. I need to be more positive,” said Chawrasia, who won his first Asian Masters title abroad in 2016 at the Resorts World Manila Masters in Philippines. Chawrasia opined that his struggles in Europe were real but there was always something to learn even from the losses.

“My performances in Europe have never been fantastic. I do struggle but then again, I am learning a lot. And whatever I learn, I'm implying it here (Asia) and I'm able to win tournaments. So eventually I'll start winning there as well,” he said with an air of confidence and self belief.

The 39-year-old admitted that like all golfers, his ultimate goal was to be on the PGA Tour rubbing shoulders with the best in the business. Voicing a realistic time-frame he added that there were a few shortcomings in his game that he first needed to fix.

“For PGA, I have to do a little better, my short game, my driving distance I have to improve a little bit. I'm thinking 2-3 years. 2 years is my target,”he said.