Indians look to extend streak

Spotlight on Shubhankar; SSP gunning for hat-trick

There is a heightened local interest in Hero Indian Open 2018. The sterling performances of Indian golfers have awakened many to the beauty of sport in the country. And this week presents another opportunity for home bred golfers to build on their golden streak at the demanding DLG Golf & Country Club, beginning here on Thursday.

It would not be wrong to say the success of 21-year-old Shubhankar Sharma in last four months catapulted the intrepid efforts the seniors, be it Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar Anirbal Lahiri, SSP Chawrasia or Ajeetesh Sandhu to name a few, had put in the past and recent years.

Coming into into the tournament, Chawrasia and Lahiri, the two good friends and equally fierce rivals, reveled in the rise of Indian golf and success of Shubhankar. The two have grabbed the last three titles here, with Chawrasia on the brink of a hat-trick with wins in 2016 and 2017.

Lahiri put the coming week into perspective. "I think this is the best Indian field we've ever had. Also, the most in-form Indian field that we've ever had. Obviously with Shubhankar playing the way he is, Khalin (Joshi) recently had a top 10 in Malaysia. It is really great to see, so I'm hoping that the Indians have a great week."

Chawrasia exuded the quite confidence which has become his hallmark. "I've won a couple of times here, so all the Europeans say 'Oh, if any event happens in India you will definitely win the tournament. What's the secret?' I always say there is no secret, I'm just playing good, that's it."

The Indians would find themselves up against a tough field that includes two Ryder Cup captains of Europe, Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open winner and winner of two other WGC events and Thomas Bjorn, winner of 21 titles and a former top-10 player. Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, a PGA Tour winner and member of the 2017 Presidents Cup team, Britain's Andrew Johnston, Chris Wood, who won the 2016 PGA Championships, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh are strong contenders as well.

Lahiri, meanwhile, is looking to regain his winning touch. "I was disappointed by 2017. I need to win and I need to get back into that mindset. I have made changes in equipment in 2018. I think I finally feel settled."

The Gary Player designed course offers a brutal test. Several of the holes on the back nine (15th, 16th, 17th) have been lengthened this year with wind posing additional challenge.

"At a demanding golf course like this, a lot of your decision making will be based on wind, and pin position. Those two factors, for me, will determine how I go about playing a hole," said Lahiri.

Chawrasia predicted the scores to be less than 10-under. "Five to seven under I would say," he said. Only seven players had finished under-par last year.

It would be also interesting to see how Shubhankar copes up with the fatigue factor -- both physical and emotional, following his sensation outing at WGC in Mexico where he finished tied-9th. The highest ranked player in the field, ranked 66th in the world, used to practice and play at this course before shifting base to Chandigarh last year.

Nonetheless, his inspirational run has given a new boost to golf in the country, and a home winner will only extend this incredible phase of Indian golf.