Golf Digest India - February 2018 by Golf Digest India

VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 10

FEBRUARY 2018 `150

THINK YOUNG | PLAY HARD

RNI NO. HARENG/2016/66983

TIGER

PUBLISHED BY

exclusive first look at his new swing

Exclusive Official Media Partner

yearbook 2017

HOW GOLF WORKS IN INDIA GLOBAL EARNINGS OF INDIAN GOLFERS + INTERVIEW WITH JUSTIN ROSE AND TOMMY FLEETWOOD

IIFL WEALTH-FALDO SERIES INDIA QUALIFIERS

New Shades of Thai Golf

The golf courses in Thailand are open to everybody and have diverse shades. Every golf course has its own uniqueness. You will enjoy an assorted mix of sceneries and galaxy of services in each golf courses. There are a million shades of Thailand waiting for you to discover. We are open, are you?

Tourism Authority of Thailand New Delhi: (91 11) 4674 1111, tatdel@tat.or.th | Mumbai: (91 22) 22020264 /65, tatmumbai@tat.or.th www.tourismthailand.org | www.tourismthailand.in (India)

CONGRATULATIONS INDIAN CONTINGENT FOR FALDO SERIES ASIA FINAL, VIETNAM 1st to 3rd March, 2018

Winners Surya Kumar K (Boys U-21) Rahul Ajay (Boys U-18) Harshjeet Sethie (Boys U-16) Tanirika Singh (Girls U-21) Pranavi Urs (Girls U-16)

*condition Apply.

ÂŠ 2018 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.

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ÂŠ 2018 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.

how to play. what to play. where to play.

l l

Contents 2/18

ArgentinA l AustrAliA l Chile l ChinA l CzeCh republiC l FinlAnd l FrAnCe l hong Kong l IndIa l indonesiA l irelAnd KoreA l MAlAysiA l MexiCo l Middle eAst l portugAl l russiA l south AFriCA l spAin l sweden l tAiwAn l thAilAnd l usA

NUM

S EDI T ION | Shubhankar Sharma became the youngest Indian winner on the European Tour

Newsmakers Update On Indian Golfers Around The World Junior Golf IIFL Wealth-Faldo Series India Qualifier

Club Round-Up

Grow The Game

Business Of Golf

Corporate Digest MercedesTrophy

PGA Tour Tournaments Set Charitable Donations Record

Fleetwood Wins Seve Ballesteros Award

The Average European Tour Pro In 2017

Jazz Janewattanond: From The Temple To The European Tour

Interview with Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood

Bjørn Guides Europe To EurAsia Cup Victory

Growing From Strength To Strength by joSh bURack

by Rohit bhaRdwaj 61

5 Decades That Transformed Golf In USA

Madappa, Rai Earn Playing Rights On Asian Tour

14 golf digest india | february 2018

Global Earnings Of Indian Golfers Vs Shuttlers

How Golf Works In India Golf Digest India decodes how indian golf is run and administered in the country by rohit bhardwaj & karthik swaminathan

A Year Of Phenomenal Storylines Golf Digest India looks back at five moments that stood out in 2017... by karthik swaminathan

On The Wishlist 5 potential talking points that golf aficionados will look forward to in 2018

Hot Dates 2018

Features 76

Cover Story: Exclusive Look at Tiger’s New Swing by Ron kaSpRiSke, with analySiS by jim mclean

How Tiger Chooses His Equipment The 14-time major champion brings a meticulous approach to club testing. by e. michael johnSon

Workmanlike Worldwide Indians won 9 titles across tours in 2017 to cap the most successful season in a decade, promising more glory in 2018 by rohit bhardwaj

SSP Chawrasia successfully defended his Indian Open title

India Digest

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Shiv Kapur capped a fabulous 2017, winning 3 titles on the Asian Tour

What Made Tiger Great? Nicklaus, Player, Trevino, Miller and Faldo on going from good to transcendent. by jaime diaz

100 Undercover Tour Pro

A guide to private-jet life. with max adleR

101 Solid and Far

Made Simple Keys to a repeatable swing and finding the sweet spot. by geRina pilleR

104 Eliminate Three-Putts

Become automatic from long distance.

by bUtch haRmon 105 Art of Exaggeration

How to feel a proper release. by david leadbetteR

106 Keep It Down

Never clank one off a branch again.

by tom watSon 109 New Looks

Five ways to rethink your wedge game.

by mike StachURa 118 Closeout

Your 2018 golf horoscope. by max adleR

Cover photograph by Walter Iooss Jr.

Editor’s Letter W Dear Readers,

GOLF DIGEST USA EDITORIAL

e were pleased to find that 2017 was a super year for India’s top pro golfers as 12 of them earned their Asian Tour cards for 2018 and won over US$ 5 million in prize money globally with 9 international victories, the most ever in history for Indian golf! Further, Anirban Lahiri consolidated his position on the US PGA Tour and Aditi Ashok earned full playing rights on the LPGA Tour. We hope 2018 will see both of them recording their maiden victories on those two tours which represent the pinnacle of the sport for men and women.

ChAirMAn & eDitor-in-ChieF Jerry Tarde exeCutive eDitor Mike O’Malley CreAtive DireCtor Ken DeLago MAnAGinG eDitor Alan P. Pittman Deputy eDitor Max Adler

2018 is important because its an Asian Games Write to me at rishi@teamgolfdigest.com or year and India, which has been out of medals on Twitter @RishiNarain_ for the past 2 editions, needs to really step up to compete with powerhouses Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and Taiwan. We intend to focus on the health of junior golf in India as the future of the game squarely rests on our juniors. At the IIFL Wealth-Faldo Series India qualifier held at KGA this January, the plethora of talent on show combined with the passion of parents and juniors alike made us realise that the game in India is in good hands. However, to fulfil its potential, we need to adopt best practices from other countries and channel a lot of resources and effort into helping kids tap into their potential. The 7th Annual edition of India Golf Expo has gained considerable stature with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews confirming their delegation and presentations at the show. The Expo represents the only opportunity for golf club decision makers, governing bodies and industry members to chalk out a strategy for the growth of the game. It was at the 2017 Expo that the inaugural “India Learn Golf Week” initiative was launched by the Golf Industry Association (GIA). The show, being held in Bengaluru on April 19 and 20, is open to anyone with an interest in golf and readers are free to register online, attend and contribute their views at the event. Look forward to bringing you more updates in the months ahead! Happy Golfing!

Rishi Narain

TEAM GOLF DIGEST INDIA Editor & Publisher Rishi Narain Managing Editor Rohit Bhardwaj rohit@rnsportsmarketing.com

Contributing Editor Karthik Swaminathan karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com

Assistant Art Director Guneet Singh Oberoi

Marketing & Advertising Nikhil Narain nikhil@rnsportsmarketing.com +91-9999990364

Subscriptions Monika Chhabra subscribe@teamgolfdigest.com Phone: +91-9999868051

Krishna Kant Dubey kk@rnsportsmarketing.com

Published and Printed by Rishi Narain on behalf of Rishi Narain Golf Management Private Limited and Printed at Thomson Press India Limited, 18-35 Mile Stone, Delhi-Mathura Road, Faridabad-121 007, Haryana and published from 501, Sushant Tower, Sector - 56, Gurgaon - 122101, Haryana. Phone Number - 0124-2841370, 1371, 1372. Editor: Rishi Narain. Contains material reprinted by permission from Golf Digest® and Golf World®. Golf Digest India is a monthly publication of Rishi Narain Golf Management Private Limited.

16 golf digest india | february 2018

GOLF DIGEST INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS AND EDITORS-IN-CHIEF GD ArGentinA Hernán SimÓ, Jorge R. Arias AustrAliAn GD Brad Clifton GD Chile Rodrigo Soto GD ChinA Echo Ma GD CzeCh republiC Robin Drahonovsky GD FinlAnD Sami Markkanen GD FrAnCe Henry Trouillet GD honG KonG Echo Ma GD inDonesiA Irwan Hermawan GD inDiA Rishi Narain GD irelAnD Linton Walsh GD KoreA Eun Jeong “EJ” Sohn GD MAlAysiA Patrick Ho GD MexiCo Rafa Quiroz GD MiDDle eAst Robbie Greenfield GD portuGAl João Morais Leitão GD russiA Fedor Gogolev GD south AFriCA Stuart McLean GD spAin Óscar Maqueda GD sweDen Oskar Åsgård GD tAiwAn Jennifer Wei GD thAilAnD Chumphol Na Takuathung GD usA Jerry Tarde

ARTICLES eDitoriAl DevelopMent DireCtor Craig Bestrom senior eDitor Ron Kaspriske senior writers Bureau Jaime Diaz, Dave Kindred, Tim Rosaforte, Ron Sirak, Guy Yocom AssoCiAte eDitor Stephen Hennessey AssistAnt eDitor Brittany Romano eDitor-At-lArGe Nick Seitz writer-At-lArGe Dan Jenkins ContributinG eDitors Dave Anderson, Peter Andrews, Tom Callahan, Bob Carney, Marcia Chambers, David Fay, John Feinstein, Peter Finch, Thomas L. Friedman, Lisa Furlong, Matthew M. Ginella, John Huggan, Dean Knuth, David Owen, Steve Rushin, Dave Shedloski, Roger Schiffman, Geoff Shackelford INSTRUCTION senior eDitor Peter Morrice senior writer Matthew Rudy plAyinG eDitors / pGA tour Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, Nick Price, Jordan Spieth, David Toms plAyinG eDitors / lpGA tour Paula Creamer teAChinG proFessionAls Rob Akins, Todd Anderson, Chuck Cook, Sean Foley, Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, Hank Johnson, David Leadbetter, Jack Lumpkin, Jim McLean, Tom Ness, Renee Powell, Dean Reinmuth, Randy Smith, Rick Smith, Dave Stockton, Josh Zander proFessionAl ADvisors Amy Alcott, Dr. Bill Mallon, Gary McCord, Randy Myers, Judy Rankin, Lucius Riccio, Ph.D., Dr. Bob Rotella, Ben Shear, Ralph Simpson, Frank Thomas, Stan Utley EQUIPMENT senior eDitor Mike Stachura equipMent eDitor E. Michael Johnson AssistAnt eDitor Keely Levins teChniCAl pAnel John Axe, Ph.D.; Martin Brouillette, Ph.D.; Thomas E. Lacy Jr., Ph.D.; David Lee, Ph.D.; John McPhee, Ph.D.; Dick Rugge; George Springer, Ph.D. GOLF COURSES senior eDitor / ArChiteCture Ron Whitten ContributinG eDitor Topsy Siderowf GOLF DIGEST INTERNATIONAL GROUP senior DireCtor, internAtionAl Develop Ment & strAteGy Angela Byun ContributinG eDitor, internAtionAl Ju Kuang Tan

Our Contributors JACK NICKLAUS Regarded as the greatest player of all time Winner of a record 18 GRAND SLAMS

TOM WATSON Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #1 ranked professional golfer from 1978 to 1982 8-TIME Grand Slam Champion

BUTCH HARMON Considered as the #1 rated golf instructor in the world Best known as TIGER WOODSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach (1993-2004)

DAVID LEADBETTER The most celebrated golf instructor in history Changed golf instruction for all future generations from guesswork to science

Golf Digest India is the exclusive official media partner to:

The World's Richest Tour 18 golf digest india | february 2018

Covers 27 countries, with approximately US$210 million in prize money

The region's pre-eminent Tour covering 21 countries, with around US$115 million in prize money

On The Web

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Connect with us 20 golf digest india | february 2018

@golfdigest.india

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@GolfDigestIndia

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2017 REVIEW

l workmanlike worldwide l global earnings of indian golfers vs shuttlers l how golf works in india l a year of phenomenal storylines l on the wishlist l hot dates 2018

WORK

MANLIKE

WORLDWIDE

olf Digest has been at the forefront of educating Indian fans about the latest happenings and trends in the sport. In keeping with our endeavour to popularise the game in the country, we have reviewed the performances of Indian golfers in the year gone by. If 2016 was the ‘Fairytale Season’, I must gleefully admit that 2017 is easily the most successful year for Indian professionals globally in past 10 years. Not only did our golfers win 9 titles in workmanlike fashion across Tours, an improvement of 2 trophies from 2016, they also pocketed US$ 982,165 (approx. Rs. 6.23 crore) for the silverware collected. In all, Indians won more than US$ 5 million (approx. Rs. 32 crore) internationally, including a creditable US$ 275,113 (approx. Rs 1.76 crore) by talented women’s professional Aditi Ashok. Interestingly, the topmost earner in badminton, World No. 3 Kidambi Srikanth, fell short of the prize money collected by Aditi in 2017. Srikanth pocketed US$ 236,423 from 17 events. Aditi also towers above shuttling sensations PV Sindhu (US$ 157,325), the World No. 3 no less, and World No. 10 Saina Nehwal (US$ 34,915) with her third Ladies European Tour (LET) crown at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open pushing her to 81st spot in the Rolex World Rankings.

22 golf digest india | february 2018

Shiv Kapur collected three titles in 2017 on the Asian Tour, including the Royal Cup (below), to cap a brilliant season that also saw him undergo liver surgery

Indians won 9 titles across tours in 2017 to cap the most successful season in a decade, promising more glory in 2018 B y R o h i t B h a r d wa j

BER S G A M NUM

S EDI T ION |

anirban lahiri 27

kidambi srikanth earnings (us$) 2,244,924

rank

events played

earnings (us$) 236,423

best finishes — t-2nd at the memorial, t-5th at the cj cup @nine bridges

4 wins — french open, denmark open, australian open, indonesia open

ssp chawrasia

p.v. sindhu

rank

events played

217

earnings (us$) 615,042

1 win — hero indian open

events played

201

rank

events played

earnings (us$) 157,325

3 wins — india open, korea open, syed modi international

shubhankar sharma rank

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despite badminton being the more popular sport in the country, there’s a huge disparity between the global earnings of indian golfers vis-à-vis shuttlers in 2017

events played

0 17

international earnings of indian golfers vs shuttlers

rank

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b. sai praneeth earnings (us$) 392,173

1 win — joburg open

rank

events played

earnings (us$) 48,685

1 win — thailand open

shiv kapur

h.s. prannoy

rank

events played

204

earnings (us$) 323,906

rank

events played

3 wins — yeangder heritage panasonic open india royal cup

1 win — us open

aditi ashok

saina nehwal

rank

events played

earnings (us$) 275,113

1 win — fatima bint mubarak ladies open (ladies european tour) Source: PGA Tour/Asian Tour/European Tour/LET/LPGA/OWGR

earnings (us$) 42,700

rank

events played

earnings (us$) 34,915

1 win — malaysia masters Source: TOI/BWF/tournamentsoftware.com

Note: Shuttlers’ prize money includes earnings from Badminton World Federation (BWF) ratified events only; Does not include sponsorship money

february 2018 | golf digest india

Kapurthala hotshot Gaganjeet Bhullar lifted the US$ 500,000 Macao Open trophy for the second time in his career

no. of international wins by indians in past 10 years 2017*

2016*

2015

2014

2013 2012

2011 2010

6 6

2009 2008

* Includes wins by Aditi Ashok (2 in 2016, 1 in 2017) PGA Tour regular Anirban Lahiri led the global earnings charts with US$ 2.24 million (approx. Rs 14.38 crore) from 27 events, which included 6 top-10 finishes. Kolkata pro SSP Chawrasia was top grosser on the Asian Tour with a haul of US$ 440,747, helping him finish fifth on the Order of Merit. But D elhi lad Shiv Kapur was comfortably the most happening story of the year with 3 trophies in his bag after he ended his 12-year-long title drought on the Asian Tour with victory at the US$ 300,000 Yeangder Heritage in Taiwan. He then went on to wow his home fans by clinching the US$ 400,000 Panasonic Open India at the Delhi Golf Club in November. The luck brought by his newborn daughter Veda continued till the end of the year, with Kapur lifting the invitational Royal Cup on December 31 in Pattaya, Thailand. Chandigarh pro Ajeetesh Sandhu made

24 golf digest india | february 2018

Total Global Earning Of Indians In 2017

US$ 5.08 million (approx. Rs 32.5 crore)

titles indians won by tour (2017)

Japan Challenge Tour

Ladies European Tour

European Tour

Note: Does not include sponsor money and prize money from PGTI and WGAI events

Asian Tour

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SSP Chawrasia became the 1st Indian to defend a Euro Tour title when he clinched the 2017 Hero Indian Open top indian earners on

(2013-17)

year tour rank

player

earnings (â&#x201A;Ź)

2017

109 133 173

ssp chawrasia anirban lahiri shiv kapur

2016

89 91 160 161

anirban lahiri ssp chawrasia jeev milkha singh shiv kapur

2015

20 113 126

anirban lahiri ssp chawrasia shiv kapur

2014

87 139 148

shiv kapur gaganjeet bhullar ssp chawrasia

302,647 140,008 120,890

2013

102 133 145

gaganjeet bhullar jeev milkha singh ssp chawrasia

259,804 156,643 117,447

top indian earners on

(2013-17)

year tour rank

player

427,085 235,908 103,872

2017

5 7 10

ssp chawrasia shubhankar sharma shiv kapur

440,747 392,173 288,873

353,942 348,664 96,723 95,303

2016

6 9 17

ssp chawrasia gaganjeet bhullar rahil gangjee

517,467 368,737 187,275

2015

1 4 14

anirban lahiri ssp chawrasia chiragh kumar

1,139,084 343,272 187,275

2014

2 10 11

anirban lahiri rashid khan ssp chawrasia

602,833 243,249 235,085

2013

3 5 10

anirban lahiri gaganjeet bhullar shiv kapur

517,030 479,978 289,871

1,558,111 240,803 180,490

earnings (us$)

february 2018 | golf digest india

Chandigarh pro Ajeetesh Sandhu scripted his breakthrough Asian Tour triumph at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship

Aditi Ashok pocketed her third Ladies European Tour crown in Abu Dhabi

a statement by clinching his breakthrough Asian Tour win at the US$ 500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taiwan followed by his maiden Japan Challenge Tour victory at the Taiheiyo Club Challenge just a week later. Kapurthala hotshot Gaganjeet Bhullar lifted the US$ 500,000 Macao Open trophy for the second time in his career to stamp India’s authority on the Asian Tour. Indians collected a total of 5 Asian Tour titles and 2 European Tour trophies in 2017 to prove their mettle in overseas competitions. Interestingly, they are marginally behind Thailand when it comes to keeping their cards for the 2018 season. 12 Indians qualified for this season, just one behind Thailand, thereby proving their rising stature in golf on the Asian continent. 21-year-old Gurgaon pro Shubhankar Sharma scripted a runaway victory at the US$ 1.07 million Joburg Open to become the youngest Indian ever to claim a European Tour title. On the women’s side, it was Aditi Ashok who kept the country’s pride aloft by completing a dramatic victory in Abu Dhabi. In all, it was a remarkable year for our golfers who announced their arrival of sorts on the world stage in an emphatic way. All the best to each one of them for a fabulous 2018!

26 golf digest india | february 2018

countrywise break-up of top-60 players on asian tour (2017) malaysia – 4

australia – 5

philippines – 4 usa – 7 south korea – 3 south africa – 2 spain – 2 india – 11*

chinese taipei – 2 japan – 1 zimbabwe – 1 canada – 1 bangladesh – 1 china – 1 france – 1 brazil – 1

thailand – 13 *Chikkarangappa S. earned a full card for Asian Tour 2018 season despite finishing 61st on the 2017 Order of Merit, making it 12 Indians in all Images: Asian Tour/European Tour/Ladies European Tour

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indians in top-60 of yearend asian tour order of merit

Shubhankar Sharma became the youngest Indian ever to win on the European Tour

2013

9 players

2014

7 players

2015

9 players

2016

11 players

2017

11 players

indians at the panasonic open (2013-17)

indians at the hero indian open (2013-17) year

prize money

in top 10

made cut

2017

$1.75 million

2016

$1.66 million

2015

$1.5 million

2014 2013

no event $1.25 million

— 4

— 22

ssp chawrasia (1st; earning $291,660) ssp chawrasia (1st; earning - $276,660) anirban lahiri (1st; earning - $250,000) — anirban lahiri (2nd; earning - $106,429)

prize money on offer at top national tours across asia korean pga

year

in top 10

made cut

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

highest rank

japan golf tour

china golf association

no. of events

1,395,000,000 krw

3,594,680,000 yen

us$ 3,697,716

`83.11

`201.25

`23.44

`26.12*

`44

crore

total prize money

pga tour of australasia

19 crore

professional golf tour of india

shiv kapur (1st; earning - $72,000) mukesh kumar (1st; earning - $72,000) chiragh kumar (1st; earning - $72,000) ssp chawrasia (1st; earning - $54,000) shiv kapur (4th; earning - $15,000)

15 aud 8,767,421

Source: From the official calendar of the respective Tours; *PGTI prize money includes 3 Asian Tour/European Tour co-sanctioned events

ALL STATS: Rohit Bhardwaj

february 2018 | golf digest india

A view of the 16th green at DLF Golf & Country Club

28 golf Image: Tristan digest Jones/Ladies india | february European 2018 Tour

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HOW GOLF WORKS IN INDIA S EDI T ION |

B y R o h i t B h a r d wa j & K a r t h i k S wa m i n at h a n

GOLF DIGEST INDIA DECODES HOW INDIAN GOLF IS RUN AND ADMINISTERED IN THE COUNTRY february 2018 | golf digest india

INDIAN GOLF UNION (IGU) The Indian Golf Union is the apex body of golf in India and is responsible for the promotion and development of the sport. An endeavour which started with all of 6 golf clubs has burgeoned to 194, with more being planned. The IGU oversees India’s junior and amateur golf.

Key responsibilities include :

• Organising 75 amateur tournaments including sub-junior, junior, men’s/women’s events • Organising Referee Certification Courses throughout the year • Organising Greenkeeper and Course Superintendent training programs • Conducting certification programmes for teaching professionals at the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI)

• Providing equipment for training at grassroots level • Selection, funding and training national squads for international tournaments like Asia Pacific and World Amateur Team events for both men and women selecting and facilitating teams for Asian Games and Olympic Games

INDIAN GOLF UNION – ORDER OF MERIT TOPPERS FOR 2017 rank

name

points

city

junior boys a category (16-18 years) 1 harshjeet singh sethie 2 yuvraj singh 3 saurav rathi

403 346 312

new delhi kapurthala gurgaon

junior boys b category (14-16 years) 1 raghav chugh 2 arjun bhati 3 mandaar prashar

431 308 299

new delhi uttar pradesh chandigarh

junior girls a category (16-18 years) 1 anika varma 2 sifat sagoo 3 diksha dagar

371 353 324

noida new delhi new delhi

junior girls b category (14-16 years) 1 anika varma 2 khushi hooda 3 pranavi urs

400 338 322

noida delhi mysuru

gentlemen merit list 1 kshitij naveed kaul 2 kartik sharma 3 yashas chandra

294 292 289

delhi delhi mysuru

ladies merit list 1 diksha dagar 2 anika varma 3 sifat sagoo

365 341 339

new delhi noida new delhi

IGU Governing Body President Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit Director General Maj Gen Bibhuti Bhushan (Retd) Hon. Secretary Lt Gen AKS Chandele Council Members East Zone - Farzan Heerjee, Dr. Satbinder Singh, Ranjit Chaudhri; West Zone - Devang Shah, S K Bhatia, Sameer Sinha; North Zone - CSR Reddy, Sanjeev Rattan, Col H S Baidwan; South Zone Dilip Thomas, C S Subramanian, Ishwar Achanta; Army Zone - Lt Gen AKS Chandele (Retd), Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal (Retd), Lt Gen Sarath Chand, Lt Gen Abhay Krishna, Lt Gen MM Naravane Founder Club Members Gaurav Ghosh (Royal Calcutta Golf Club), Maj Gen KMS Shergill (Delhi Golf Club), Akshay Kilachand (Willingdon Sports Club), Brijinder Singh (Bombay Presidency Golf Club), G Suresh (Madras Gymkhana Club) IGU Ladies Committee Chairperson - Pauline JM Singh Vice Chairperson - Nandita Rao

aman raj shot rounds of 70-71-67-70 for a total 278 to finish

5th

in 2015 nomura cup

diksha dagar carded a total of 221 to finish

17th in 2016

queen sirikit cup

first olympians - anirban lahiri, s.s.p. chawrasia and aditi ashok represented india at the 2016 rio olympics 30 golf digest india | february 2018

tied 31

2014

udayan mane feroz garewal manu gandas

tied 29

2012

chikkarangappa s. khalin joshi angad cheema

tied 24

NUM

BER S G A M

E aalaap il arjun prasad kshitij naveed kaul

S EDI T ION |

2016

espirito santo trophy

udayan mane recorded the best individual finish ever by an Indian

position

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A biennial tournament organised by the International Golf Federation (IGF), WATC comprises 2 trophies – Eisenhower Trophy for men and Espirito Santo Trophy for women. From India, IGU sends a 3 member team (both men and women) to compete against teams from 70 countries.

year

0 17

WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (WATC) eisenhower trophy

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13th

year

women team

2016

tvesa malik gaurika bishnoi diksha dagar

2014

aditi ashok gurbani singh astha madan

2012

aditi ashok gurbani singh gursimar badwal

at 2014 eisenhower Trophy

no. of international amateur wins by aditi ashok in 2015. st rule trophy, ladies’ british amateur & thailand amateur championship

position 31

tied 17

ASIAN GAMES Golf was introduced at the Asian Games for the first time in 1982, hosted by India in New Delhi. Every four years, IGU sends 4 men and 3 women to participate in the event. With the 18th edition of the event scheduled from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Indian golf fans will be banking on top amateurs Kshitij Naveed Kaul, Kartik Sharma, Yashas Chandra and Dhruv Sheoran to bring the first team gold medal since 1982. Among the girls, all eyes will be on the trio of Diksha Dagar, Anika Verma and Sifat Sagoo to record a podium finish this time.

indian team performances at the asian games (2002-14) year

men team

2014

udayan mane 6 feroz garewal samarth dwivedi manu gandas rahul bajaj 2 (silver abhijit chadha medal) rashid khan abhinav lohan gaganjeet bhullar 2 (silver joseph chakola medal) chiragh kumar anirban lahiri shiv kapur 4 (individual gold medal for shiv kapur) manav das keshav misra narender prasad gupta

2010

2006

2002

position

year

women team

2014

aditi ashok gurbani singh astha madan shreya ghei vani kapoor gurbani singh vaishavi sinha meghna bal sharmila nicollet

2010

2006

position 8

delhi golfer shiv kapur won the second indiviual

GOLD medal in asian games

in busan, south kore a

First Asian Games Team Gold Medal: The four-member team of Lakshman Singh, Rajiv Mohta, Amit Luthra and Rishi Narain won the team Gold medal for India at the first-ever golf event at the Asian Games in 1982 (Delhi). India also won individual gold (Lakshman Singh) and silver (Rajiv Mohta) medals

ASIA-PACIFIC AMATEUR

Rayhan Thomas

It has been conducted under the aegis of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) since 2009, among its 40 national associations, with the support of The Masters organising committee and R&A (Scotland). The winner gets a direct entry into the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Major at Augusta National, while the runner-up earns a spot in the final qualifying event for the British Open.

indians at the asia-pacific amateur year

made cut

2017

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

5 2 4 4 6 6

2010 2009

4 3

best finish rayhan thomas and priyanshu singh (t-35th) viraj madappa (t-26th) samarth dwivedi (42nd) rigel fernandes (t-15th) trishul chinnappa (t-34th) chikkarangappa (12th) honey baisoya, chikkarangappa (t-46th) khalin joshi (t-9th) rashid khan (t-18th)

khalin joshi scripted the best finish by indians

T-9

in 2010 edition

NOMURA CUP

QUEEN SIRIKIT CUP

The Nomura Cup, also known as Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship, is organised by Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. 2017 marked the 28th edition of the biennial tournament. India first participated in the event in 1969 and her only victory came in 1973 in Indonesia where the team of RK Pitamber, PG Sethi, Vikramjit Singh and Laksman Singh emerged the winners. Every two years, IGU sends a team of 4 amateur golfers to compete against 16 to 18 nations.

Inaugurated in 1979, Queen Sirikit Cup is also known as Amateur Ladies Asia-Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championship. 2017 marked the 39th edition of the annual event. The Queen Sirikit Cup ranks among the top amateur team tournaments in the world, having produced several World No. 1 LPGA stars over the years. Since inception, IGU has been sending a 3-member team to compete for the title against 14 countries.

year

team

2017

rayhan thomas varun parikh kshitij naveed kaul aalaap il

aman raj samarth dwivedi rahul ravi harimohan singh

viraj madappa saqib ahmed trishul chinnappa vikram rana

2015

2013

year

team

2017

diksha dagar pranavi s urs tvesa malik

2016

diksha dagar gaurika bishnoi tvesa malik

gauri monga registered the best ever indiviual finish

2015

ridhima dilawari gaurika bishnoi nishtha madan

by an indian

2014

ridhima dilawari aditi ashok gaurika bishnoi

position

3rd

in 2011 queen sirikit cup

position

only indian to win two european tour titles in a year anirban lahiri (malaysian open, indian open: both in 2015) 32 golf digest india | february 2018

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Board Members: HR Srinivasan, Deepak Talwar, Digvijay Singh, Amardip Sinh Malik, Manav Jaini, Gurki Shergill, Angad Cheema, Rudresh Sharma Website: www.pgtofindia.com

2018 will see PGTI become an Open Tour, allowing foreign players, thereby ensuring events carry World Ranking Points. It means greater competition and potentially more sponsorship.

pgti order of merit (oom) winners (2013-17) year

oom winner

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

shamim khan rashid khan chikkarangappa shankar das rashid khan

new events added in last 5 years 2017 1. chittagong open 2. kensville open 3. jaipur open 4. ongc masters 5. bengaluru open 2016 1. kolkata classic 2. bti open 3. pune open 4. take solutions classic 5. chennai open golf championship 6. take open

prize money (rs) 51,64,233 44,79,880 48,87,440 54,32,067 46,38,284

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CEO: Uttam Singh Mundy

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President: Gautam Thapar

Under Thapar’s strategic leadership, PGTI gained recognition from the European Tour and the Asian Tour and its prize money grew by over 250% in its first three years! It has also been inducted as a member of the prestigious ‘International Federation of PGA Tours’ and is recognised worldwide as the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India.

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PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR OF INDIA The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) completed 11 years in September 2017. Avantha Group Chairman & CEO, Gautam Thapar, is the president of PGTI. With over 300 members today, PGTI has a governing board comprising leading Indian golf professionals and corporates as patrons. The Tour’s objective is to promote professional golf in the country, and create more competitive playing opportunities for its members.

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highest grosser in last 5 years on PGTI

`54.3 L Shankar Das

2015 1. the hemisphere pgti masters 2. golconda masters 3. western india oxford masters 2014 1. pgti cochin masters presented by cial golf & country club 2. j & k bank pgti pahalgam masters 3. pgti kashmir masters 4. chief minister’s meghalaya open golf

shamim khan won the pgti order of merit

2nd

time in 6 years

domestic prize money in last 5 years

`7.80 cr

2013

`9.10 cr

2014

`9.85 cr

`10.50 cr

`8.22 cr

2015

2016

2013 1. sri lanka ports authority open 2. jaypee greens open 3. dialog enterprise international

2017

Note: Does not include events co-sanctioned with Asian Tour and European Tour

february 2018 | golf digest india

WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

Governing body Patron in Chief Pawan Munjal

The Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) was established in 2004 as a nationwide non-profit organization. The WGAI enables women to compete in an organized professional tour i.e. Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour and serves as launch pad for greater honours worldwide once Indian amateurs reach the age of 18. The WGAI has received tremendous support from Hero MotoCorp, which lent much needed impetus, and it was rechristened Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour (HWPGT). The Tour has over 25 members, including India’s top lady professionals. The HWPGT conducts 12-18 tournaments a year across India with the largest being the US$ 400,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open, an event co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) since 2015. 2016 was a breakthrough season when five WGAI members earned playing rights on the LET. 2017 saw the Tour and LET conduct a 2-day Achievers’ Camp during the 2017 Women’s Indian Open.

indians at the women’s indian open (2013-17) year

prize money

in top 10

made cut

2017

$400,000

2016

$400,000

2015

$400,000

2014

$300,000

2013

$300,000

GCS & MAI The Golf Course Superintendents and Managers Association of India (GCS & MAI) is the premier body espousing the cause of greenkeepers and managers of golf courses in India. The association aims to assist all course developers and organizations running golf courses by providing them useful and professional advice that will help them overcome challenges in improving the standard of golf courses in the country.

highest rank

vani kapoor posted the best finish by an indian

6th

vani kapoor (tied 6th; $11,630) at the 2017 hero aditi ashok women’s indian open (1st; earning - $60,000) aditi ashok (tied 13th; earning - played as an amateur) vaishavi sinha (5th; earning - $14,400) gauri monga (t-5th; earning - played as an amateur)

Patron Anjani Desai President Kavita Singh Vice President (Exec. Committee Member) Devin Narang Vice President (Invitee) Nonita Lall Qureshi Secretary General & Exec. Committee Member Champika Sayal Treasurer Latika Khaneja Chairperson Players Division Saaniya Sharma Members Madhushree Birla, Ritika Modi, Rudratej Singh, Monica Jajoo, Anil Malhotra, Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit (President, IGU), and IGU representatives Lt Gen AKS Chandele (Retd) and Maj Gen Bibhuti Bhushan Website: www.wgai.co.in

President: GS Mani Vice President: Mohan Subramanian Secretary General: Col Pravin Uberoi (Retd) Treasurer: Vijit Nandrajog Website: www.gcsmai.com

The organization endeavours to improve the technical knowledge and knowhow of golf course superintendents and managers by conducting timely meetings and seminars.

aditi ashok became the 1st indian to win a let event

1st

at the 2016 hero women’s indian open

aditi ashok participated in the 2013 asian youth games, 2014 youth olympics, 2014 asiad & 2016 olympic games, making her the first indian to compete in 4 multi-discipline games 34 golf digest india | february 2018

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• Promote golf in India through researched information dissemination to all levels of the government and the public

Director General: PK Bhattacharyya

• Educate and inform members through annual conferences, targeted training opportunities and professional industry interaction

Patrons: Anil Seolekar (Oxford Golf Resort), Aakash Ohri (DLF G&CC)

• Assist in promoting the Indian golf industry by running golf expos such as the India Golf Expo. The 2018 edition of India Golf Expo will be held in Bengaluru on April 19 and 20.

Directors: Brandon de Souza (Tiger Sports Marketing), Rakesh Sharma (Alert Golf Mgmt. Services), Ravi Garyali (Irrigation Products International), Phil Ryan (Pacific Coast Design), Mohan Subramanian (Rain Bird Products & Services), Karan Bindra (K&A Golf), Anit Mehrotra (Silverglades Golf Development Company), Deepali Shah Gandhi (Zaverchand Sports), Vijit Nandrajog (Golf Design India), Vinit Mathur (Surge Systems), Varun Oberoi (Rain Bird Products & Services), AK Singh (ex-officio, Indian Golf Union)

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Special Invitees: Rishi Narain (RN Sports Marketing), Pravin Uberoi (GCS & MAI)

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Golf Industry Association (GIA) is a non-profit industry association formed by golf industry groups to carry out three core activities:

Website: www.igia.co.in

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GOLF INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (GIA)

Late in September 2017, GIA – in partnership with IGU, WGAI, GCS & MAI, and the PGA – initiated the “India Learn Golf Week”, a programme aimed at nurturing the next 1,00,000 Indian golfers. The move received great acclaim from all corners.

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GOLF RECORDS First Win On PGA Tour: Arjun Atwal won the 2010 Wyndham Championship, held at the Sedgefield Country Club, North Carolina, USA, making him the first Indian golfer to win on the PGA Tour Most International Titles: Jeev Milkha Singh has won 14 tour titles spread over three tours , the most by any Indian golfer to date — 4 on European Tour, 6 on the Asian Tour and 4 on the Japanese Tour Most Wins: Rohtas Singh, who turned professional at 17 in 1976, achieved over 100 victories-the most wins by an Indian golfer to date during his career Best Finish in a Major: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, who currently plays on the PGA Tour and select events on the European Tour and Asian Tour, finished tied-fifth at the 2015 PGA Championship in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin USA with a score of 13-under 275, the highest finish in a Major by an Indian

india learn golf week

7,000 individuals took first lesson

ALL STATS: Rohit Bhardwaj

Best World Ranking: Jeev Milkha Singh was placed 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking List in 2009 - the highest ranking achieved by an Indian golfer till date Source: Limca Book Of Records

february 2018 | golf digest india

In his first competitive event since February 2017, Tiger Woods finished the Hero World Challenge tied ninth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; easily surpassing most expectations 36 golf digest india | february 2018

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A YEAR OF PHENOMENAL STORYLINES Golf not only welcomed a few new stars to the fairways but also witnessed pleasant surprises at the Majors. There were other talking points too, of course, which gave aficionados reasons aplenty to follow the sport on television. Golf Digest India looks back at five moments that stood out in 2017... b y k a r t h i k s wa m i n at h a n karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com

TIGER OUT IN THE OPEN

hat clearly was one of the most awaited moments in 2017 did not disappoint as 14-time Major titlist Tiger Woods made his return to competitive action at Albany for the Hero World Challenge. Arguably one of the most complete golfers of all time, the 42-year-old put on a show as he drove with aplomb, chipped the ball from dire positions and even sunk 50-foot putts.

In his first competitive event since February 2017, the 79-time winner on the PGA Tour finished the tournament he hosts tied ninth – easily surpassing most expectations – and gave his World Ranking a significant boost (from 1199 to within 700). What awaits the decorated champion in 2018, then, one muses. He ended ties with swing coach Chris Como and announced his

intentions to play the full PGA Tour season and later committed to begin playing at the Farmers Insurance Open. Athletes of his stature are known to find a way to return to the top as the 2017 men’s pro tennis season indicated: Tiger’s good friends Rafa Nadal (who, incidentally, was present at Albany and followed the action from close quarters) and Roger Federer defied time, age and naysayers to finish atop the rankings. february 2018 | golf digest india

some close shaves

Spain’s Sergio Garcia won the Masters after coming close on three previous occasions

sergio garcia has 23 top-10 finishes in 74 major championship appearances masters finish year site 1 2017 augusta national t-4 2004 augusta national 8 2002 augusta national t-8 2013 augusta national

GARCIA THE NEW MASTER ack in April 2012, a deflated Sergio Garcia bemoaned that he was “not good enough” to win a Major. He left Augusta three-over-par 75 and, with him, everyone wondered if the talented Spaniard would ever hold aloft one of golf’s four prestigious titles, leave alone all four. Was success, even for someone with his skill, a perennial mirage? To possibly understand the intertwining strands of emotions in sport, one only needs to go back a couple of years, albeit to another discipline: with the Rod Laver Arena and the world watching in the beginning of 2010, Britain’s Andy Murray fought back tears in his runner-up acceptance speech. “I can cry like Roger [Federer]. It’s just a shame I can’t play like him.” Fast forward to 2012, and incidentally soon after Garcia’s own disappointment, Murray cut a forlorn figure at Wimbledon. And how. Quivering and wincing, as he spoke, “I’m getting closer...” Four defeats from four Major finals. Of course, while the Scot faced down more disappointments, he did go on to

savour Olympic, Grand Slam and world ranking glory. Garcia, however, still had to bide his time. Cut to February 2017. Following his betrothal with Angela Akins at the start of the year, Garcia completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. It was his first European Tour title in more than 3 years and he was quoted saying, “Hopefully it will be the beginning of a great year.” He couldn’t have been more prophetic. Five years on from that Masters disappointment, El Niño finally broke his Major duck. It was but poetic that the moment came at Augusta National, as the Spaniard holed his birdie putt to beat Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff. Garcia would go on to win his third title of the season at the Andalucía Valderrama Masters a fortnight later. The 38-year-old was fittingly named European Tour Golfer of the Year. With the Ryder Cup coming up, one perhaps imagines Sergio Garcia encouraging himself with a Vamos!

u.s. open t-3 4 t-5 t-7 t-10

2005 2002 2016 2011 2009

pinehurst no. 2 bethpage black oakmont congressional bethpage black

open championship *2 2007 carnoustie t-2 2014 royal liverpool t-5 2005 st. andrews t-5 2006 royal liverpool t-5 2016 royal troon t-6 2015 st. andrews t-8 2002 muirfield t-9 2001 royal lytham t-9 2011 royal st. george’s t-10 2003 royal st. george’s * lost playoff to padraig harrington pga championship 2 1999 t-2 2008 t-3 2006 t-10 2002

medinah no. 3 oakland hills medinah no. 3 hazeltine national

FLEETWOOD’S SURGE TO RANKING SUMMIT

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood had a stellar European Tour season which saw him bag the Race to Dubai title

38 golf digest india | february 2018

asily his best season to date, Tommy Fleetwood savoured some of the finest highs of his career in 2017. The signs were there towards the end of 2016 when his consistency stood out – Fleetwood made 11 successive cuts commencing with the Czech Masters right till the finale in Dubai. Unsurprisingly, success followed soon after as the Englishman triumphed at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship before tasting further success at the HNA Open de France (his maiden victory at a Rolex Series event). In between, he finished runner-up at the WGC-Mexico Championship and at the Shenzen International.

Fleetwood also recorded his best performance at a Major when he finished fourth at the US Open. While victory in France took him to the top of the Race to Dubai, the resurgence of Fleetwood’s compatriot Justin Rose meant that the pair took the battle for the European Tour ranking to the season-ending event in Dubai, the DP World Tour Championship. Rose’s birdie at the par five 18th, when he needed an eagle, meant it was Fleetwood who clinched the European Tour Order of Merit. Collecting the Race to Dubai title, Fleetwood said, “My ultimate goal in life is to be the best player in the world.” He clearly is on the right track to becoming just that!

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A triumphant Team USA after beating Team International 19-11 in the 2017 Presidents Cup at New Jersey

USA’S STRANGLEHOLD OVER PRESIDENTS CUP

here have been 12 editions of the Presidents Cup since the inaugural event in 1994 and Team USA have won on all but two occasions. Team International won in 1998 and the two teams fought to a tie in 2003. In short, the head-to-head reads 10-1-1 in favour of USA (who have, also, never lost at home). That’s not just dominance, that’s a stranglehold! And 2017’s event wasn’t even close as America were already within a point and a half of sealing victory on what was just Day 3 of the 4-day tournament.

Of course, while it helped that the Americans had in their ranks the likes of Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, among others, it would be naïve to put down the result to just the chasm – in terms of player profile or talent pool – between the sides. 11 of the 12 American golfers in their team had qualified for the Tour Championship and 6 of them were in the top-12 (Official World Golf Ranking). To even make a match of it, the

Internationals had to hit the ground running but as it transpired, their leading players – Hideki Matsuyama and Jason Day – were far from their best. Sunday’s singles was the only leg that the Internationals led, and eventually won 7½-4½, thereby making the final score line, a 19-11 defeat, less lopsided. But even that pales into significance if one looks at the other, starker, reality: USA had as many as 10 players who notched up two or more wins each, while Team International had just one in Louis Oosthuizen!

Justin Thomas

CONSISTENT THOMAS CROWNED FEDEXCUP CHAMP

orld No. 4 Justin Thomas can look back at his 2017 season on the PGA Tour with a sense of pride. The American racked up 5 titles, the PGA Championship being the highlight, and 7 other top-10 finishes. Thomas commenced the year with victory at the CIMB Classic, and followed that up with titles at the SBS Tournament of Champions and at the Sony Open in Hawaii. A lull followed between February and August when he missed the cut in 6 of the 14 tournaments he entered in that period, besides 3 other top-10 showings. However, the Louisville resident more than made up for it by winning his first Major title at the PGA Championship. He

would also hoist the Dell Technologies Championship before finishing runnerup (to Xander Schauffele) at the seasonending TOUR Championship. Thomas was, undisputedly, the PGA Tour No. 1 and took home the FedEx Cup trophy and a US$10 million bonus. For a long time, Thomas seemed to be in the shadow of compatriot, fellow 24-year-old and World No. 2 Jordan Spieth, but – given his breakout year – he will be confident that this may well not be the case going forward. Victory at the CJ Cup, which is the third event of the 201718 season, seems to be pointing in that direction. Team US, meanwhile, has yet another talent to call upon as they prepare for this year’s Ryder Cup.

february 2018 | golf digest india

ON THE WISHLIST

Given the highs 2017 brought with it, 2018 promises even more excitement. Golf Digest India highlights five potential talking points that golf aficionados will likely be hooked to as the year unfurls… EXPECTING BETTER SHOW FROM TEAM EUROPE

he Americans might have won the last edition of the Ryder Cup, but European golfers struck a rich vein of form in 2017, with Sergio Garcia reigning at Augusta National, Tommy Fleetwood clinching the Race to Dubai (closely followed by compatriot Justin Rose) and the rise of young Jon Rahm (current World No. 3). United States has never won in Europe since 1993 and has, in fact, triumphed on just three occasions since (1999, 2008 and 2016). Besides, 2018 will also see the return of Rory McIlroy. All said therefore, with 8 months to go for the duel at Le Golf National, Paris, the fans have every reason to expect a better display from Team Europe.

MCILROY’S STRONG COMEBACK

ot long ago, Rory McIlroy seemed to be destined for great things. Instead, he has battled injuries for close to two years, invariably leading one to wonder if the Irishman’s best playing days are behind him. He finished 2017 ranked 11th in the world and it was the first time, since 2008, that McIlroy had failed to end the year inside the Top-10. It will help that he isn’t even 29 yet, leave alone 30, and can always look to the Tour for inspiration. The four-time Major champion only needs the Masters to join the select league of golfers who have at least one title at each Major. McIlroy also took 3 months off to prepare for 2018 – time will tell what else awaits the former World No. 1.

ROSE’S CAREER SLAM ASPIRATIONS

ustin Rose has been outspoken about his ambitions. He made the 2016 Olympics his focus, publicly, and went on to win gold – his biggest triumph since clinching the 2013 US Open. The 37-year-old went on to win the WGC-HSBC Champions and the Turkish Airlines Open in 2017, apart from recording

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a handful other top-10 finishes (including a runner-up finish at the Masters), and also gave countryman Tommy Fleetwood a run for his money in last season’s Race to Dubai. Not long ago, Rose talked about the other boxes he wants to tick over the course of his career and it included accomplishing a Career Slam. Given the form he has been working himself into, one wouldn’t put the feat beyond him in future, commencing 2018.

MATSUYAMA BREAKING INTO WORLD TOP-3

F Clockwise from left: Team USA celebrate their 2016 Ryder Cup victory; World No. 1 Dustin Johnson began the new year winning Sentry Tournament of Champions; Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama completed two PGA Tour triumphs to move into top-5 of the World Rankings; Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose aims to record a career slam in the coming 2 seasons; Injury-plagued Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland will be hoping for a memorable 2018

or a brief while in 2017, following his runner-up showing at the US Open to be precise, Hideki Matsumaya rose to World No. 2. He finished the season as the fifth best golfer in the world – the second time in as many years that he had finished in the Top-10 of the global rankings (he ended 2016 ranked sixth). Already a superstar in Japan, the 25-year-old’s stock would soar further should he win a Major (would be a first, for Japan). Another realistic goal would be finishing the season within the Top-3. He is, of course, only too aware of the expectations. “All I can do is my best”, Matsuyama said following his win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. And try he will.

A DOMINANT JOHNSON

ith victory at the 2016 US O p e n , D u s t i n Jo h n s o n looked set for more glory. The American started 2017 with wins at the Genesis Open, WGC-Mexico and WGC-Dell Technologies but a twist of fate ahead of the Masters – he suffered a freak injury to his back on the eve of the tournament – not only ruled him out of Augusta but also blunted his season overall. Johnson returned to winning ways later, collecting The Northern Trust (August) and Sentry Tournament of Champions (last month) titles. Not one to doubt himself, the 33-year-old sounded typically upbeat in a recent interaction with The Associated Press’s Doug Ferguson, “I definitely think I can [record an 8-win season]. There's a lot of really good players out here on tour, and for me to do that, I’m going to have to play some really good golf. But I’m definitely capable of it.” february 2018 | golf digest india

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major championships date

tournament

venue

april 5-8 june 14-17 july 19-22 august 9-12

masters tournament us open british open pga championship

augusta national, georgia shinnecock hills gc, new york carnoustie gc, scotland bellerive cc, st louis

Playoffs

prize purse (us$) 11,000,000 12,000,000 10,250,000 10,500,000

Live on

date

tournament

venue

prize purse (us$)

august 23-26 august 31- sept 3 sept. 6-9 sept. 20-23

the northern trust dell technologies championship bmw championship tour championship

ridgewood cc, new jersey tpc boston, massachusetts aronimink gc, newton square, pa eastlake gc, atlanta

Tommy Fleetwood

9,000,000 9,000,000 9,000,000 9,000,000

Tiger Woods

world golf championships

Live on

date

tournament

venue

march 1-4 march 21-25 august 2-5 october 25-28

wgc-mexico championship wgc-dell technologies matchplay wgc-bridgestone invitational wgc-hsbc champions

club de golf chapultepec, mexico city austin country club, texas firestone cc (south), ohio sheshan international gc, shanghai

42 golf digest india | february 2018

prize purse (us$) 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 9,750,000

Hideki Matsuyama

Jordan Spieth

Justin Rose

Anirban Lahiri

Dustin Johnson

sept. 28-30 le golf national, france

may 10-13 tpc sawgrass, florida

Live on date

tournament

venue

prize purse (us$)

may 24-27 may 31-june 3 june 28-july 1 july 5-8 july 12-15 nov. 1-4 nov. 8-11 nov. 15-18

bmw pga championship italian open hna open de france irish open scottish open turkish airlines open nedbank golf challenge dp world tour championship

wentworth club, surrey, england tbc, italy le golf national, paris, france ballyliffin gc, republic of ireland gullane gc, east lothian, scotland regnum carya golf & spa resort, antalya gary player cc, sun city, south africa jumeirah golf estates, dubai

7,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 7,500,000 8,000,000

Justin Thomas

Live on date

tournament

venue

prize purse (us$)

jan. 12-14 jan. 18-21 feb. 1-4 feb. 8-11 march 8-11 april 19-22

eurasia cup smbc singapore open maybank championship isps handa world super6 perth indian open panasonic open championship

glenmarie golf and country club, malaysia sentosa golf club, singapore saujana golf and country club, malaysia lake karrinyup country club, australia tba ibaraki country club (west course), japan

4,800,000 1,000,000 3,000,000 1,250,000 1,750,000 1,370,000

(Provisional calendar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; full calendar to be released in due course)

february 2018 | golf digest india

Newsmakers

PLAYERS IN THE NEWS Professional Golf Tour of India

Shubhankar Upstages Rashid For Year-end Title Shubhankar Sharma prevailed over Delhi’s Rashid Khan by one shot in a classic encounter to claim the season-ending Rs. 1.5 crore McLeod Russel Tour Championship title at the revered Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). The 21-year- old from Chandigarh, who recently became the youngest Indian to win on the European Tour, ended his dream season, which saw him collect 3 trophies, on a high. Trailing by two shots till the 14th hole, Shubhankar turned it around in the final stages to end up with a round of 68 and a winning total of 17-under 271. He thus took home his sixth professional trophy and the winner ’s cheque worth a whopping Rs. 22.50 lakh. The 26-year-old Rashid (71) finished with a total of 16-under-272. Seasoned pro Shamim Khan bagged his second PGTI Order of Merit title after finishing tied fourth at 8-under 280. Shamim, who had earlier won the title in 2012, closed the 2017 season with earnings of Rs. 51,64,233 to finish No. 1 in the money list by a fair distance. He also won 3 titles during the season.

Golfers pour champagne on Shubhankar Sharma to celebrate his McLeod Russel Tour Championship triumph

“I WAS REALLY CALM THE WHOLE DAY. DESPITE TRAILING THE LEADER, I NEVER LET THE PRESSURE BUILD ON MYSELF. I WAS A BIT UPSET AFTER MISSING A THREE-FOOTER FOR BIRDIE ON THE NINTH BUT BOUNCED BACK WELL WITH SOME GOOD SHOTS ON THE BACK-NINE… I READ THE LINE WELL AND SAW IT THROUGH.” —SHUBHANKAR SHARMA

Women’s Golf

Vani begins season on a winning note

Vani Kapoor played a flawless back nine to carve out a win in the first leg of the 2018 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens, Ahmedabad. Vani, who won 4 titles in 6 starts in 2017, carded an even par 72 to finish 5-over 221 and edge out Saaniya Sharma by two shots. Saaniya shot one-over 73 which included a costly double bogey on par-5 14th hole. She also had a bogey earlier on 11th hole. Gursimar Badwal finished third in a tie with Tvesa Malik at 226. Vani started the final day one shot ahead of Neha Tripathi and opened bogey-bogey. She however steadied herself and dropped only one more shot on the front nine on eighth. Birdies on the 12th, 14th and 18th ensured she finished strongly with a 33 on the back nine. The 24-yearold’s aggregate of 221 gave her a two-shot win. Vani picked up a cheque of Rs. 1,26,000 while Saaniya earned Rs. 1,02,000 for her effort.

44 golf digest india | february 2018

Vani Kapoor receives her prize from Navratna Group MD Devang Shah in Ahmedabad

Junior Golf

BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR PAKISTANI BAIG In-form Ahmed Baig outgunned his rivals with an outstanding display of front-running as he swept to victory in the seventh Faldo Series Pakistan Championship. Baig assumed control of the 14th leg of the 2017-18 Faldo Series Asia season with a bogey-free, opening six-under-par 66 at Defence Authority Country and Golf Club and never looked back. His three-day aggregate of 11-under-par 205 was no fewer than 19 strokes ahead of his closest pursuer, enabling Baig to record one of the biggest winning margins in Faldo Series Asia history. “I really wanted this trophy in the bag in my last year as an amateur,” said the 19-year-old, who had twice before been close to winning the Faldo Series Pakistan Championship. “If I keep playing at amateur level, I’ll lose the form I’m in. At this moment, I’m on top of my game and believe I can really push on.”

Pakistan’s Ahmed Baig won the Faldo Series Pakistan Championship by a record 19 strokes

Teenager Rai Retains Nepalese Title Sukra Bahadur Rai will not be resting on his laurels after retaining his title in the sixth edition of the Faldo Series Nepal Championship. Rai, a former caddie who has risen to emerge as one of his country’s finest golfers, posted a three-stroke victory in the 11th leg of the Faldo Series Asia season at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. Despite the pleasure of winning the tournament and securing a second successive trip to Laguna Lăng Cô in Danang, Central Vietnam for the 12th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in March, 2018, Rai was far from satisfied with his performance. Indeed, Rai’s overall aggregate of 11-over-par 227 was no fewer than 12 shots worse than his winning score over the same course in 2016. Sukra Bahadur Rai (R) receives his Faldo Series Nepal Championship title

Faldo announces Major Champions Invitational Sir Nick Faldo announced the inaugural Major Champions Invitational, to be played March 12-14, 2018 at Bella Collina in Montverde, Florida. Hosted by World Golf Hall of Fame member Faldo, the 2018 Major Champions Invitational will be supported by Major winners providing juniors, male or female, with a one-of-a-kind competition experience. An extension of the Faldo Series, the Major Champions Invitational will embody the same overall mission; to give opportunities to young people through golf, and help identify the next generation of champions. Former World No. 1s Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth have made a commitment to support the event besides Annika Sorenstam, Adam Scott, John Daly, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Jerry Pate.

Rathi lifts coveted Salwan Cup Saurav Rathi returned an impressive 4-under 284 to claim the Salwan Cup School Golf Championship at ITC Classic Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon, beating Kaustubh Mishra by a commanding 12 strokes. The tournament is recognised by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and is aimed at broad-basing junior golf participation across schools in the country. A total of 97 students played in the event with 21 kids participating from 11 Salwan Schools in Delhi NCR. In Category B, Aditya Sood finished on top by seven strokes over second-placed Rachit Poddar, while Sukhman Singh took home the Category C title. Among the girls, Ritika Raina took home the Category A title with Serena Singh taking home the Category B title. Saumya Nehra was the Category C winner.

Saurav Rathi with the 2017 Salwan Cup trophy

february 2018 | golf digest india

Junior Golf

NEXT STOP FOR INDIANS: VIETNAM BY VARUN MENON

ollowing the 3-month buildup, the IIFL Wealth Golf Invitational Faldo Series India culminated at Karnataka Golf Association (KGA), Bengaluru, in enthralling fashion. The fairways were in good shape and the lightning greens were a test for young golfers. Sifat Alag (Girls Under-21), who represented India last year at the Faldo Series Asia Final, commented that the conditions at KGA were very similar to the Laguna Lang Co Golf Club â&#x20AC;&#x201D; host of the Asia Final â&#x20AC;&#x201D; perhaps indicating that this would serve as a great prelude to the main event in March. Windy conditions in the morning did not make it easy for golfers on Day 1, but they acclimatised and returned with better scores on Day 2. It all boiled down to who managed to keep their composure on the final day. In the Boys

L-R: SuryaKumar K (Winner Boys U-21), Pranavi Urs (Winner Girls U-16), Rahul Ajay (Winner Boys U-18), Tanirika Singh (Winner Girls U-21) and Harshjeet Sethie (Winner Boys U-16) after completion of the IIFL Wealth Golf Invitational Faldo Series India Qualifiers

Siddhart Krishna (L) and Aryaman Mohan

Neeharika Thangamma (L) and Ananya Garg

46 golf digest india | february 2018

L-R: Chitrangada Singh, Amikul Panaich and Serena Vikram Singh

Viren Thapar

IIFL Wealth Chief Client Experiences Officer Rounak Seth

Junior Golf

Varun Shetty of Invictus Performance Lab emphasised the importance of proper diet, nutrition and good rest

“I went with a mindset of winning the tournament and the outcome was great. This is the first time I am going for the Asia final and I think it is a great opportunity for me to do well and try to win.”

—Harshjeet Sethie

Dr. Shree Advani, brother of leading cueist Pankaj Advani, explained the importance of mental strength and visualisation

“Going into the tournament, my form was not great but things worked out well for me on the course. It is a great feeling to represent the country and I am going to give my best for the Asia Final.” —Surya Kumar K Under-18, Rahul Ajay — who came through the club selection round at Hyderabad — held his nerves in the back nine to secure victory against seasoned opponent, and the country’s No.2 Amateur, Kartik Sharma. The excitement, however, was in the Girls Under-16 category where Pranavi Urs was up against Anika Varma. Requiring a par on the final hole, nerves got the better of young Pranavi who had to settle for a bogey instead, thereby taking the match to a sudden death play-off. The playoff came down to pure adrenaline and hunger as the pair played with the composure of professionals. Pranavi made par to Anika’s birdie, which gave the Mysuru teenager the win and made her the official qualifier to represent

India in Vietnam. The par also gave Pranavi the award for the best golfer with the lowest score over the 3 days outclassing the boys. Tanirika Singh (Girls Under-21), Surya Kumar K (Boys Under-21) and the near 6’4” Harshjeet Singh Sethie (Boys Under-16) were winners in the other categories. Besides the golf, special sessions on mental toughness and fitness were organised for children and teachers. Dr. Shree Advani, brother of cueist Pankaj Advani, spoke about the importance of mental strength and visualisation. The second session was conducted by Varun Shetty from Invictus Performance Lab who emphasised and explained the importance of proper diet, nutrition and good rest.

february 2018 | golf digest india

Junior Golf

»“It was the first time I was playing the tournament and it feels good to win. The course was in great condition and I completely enjoyed playing. My plan for Vietnam now is to focus and prepare well for the Asia Final.” —Rahul Ajay » “It felt great to win the tournament and I was happy to start off the season by winning. I am looking forward to Vietnam and I hope I make the country proud.”

—Pranavi Urs

L-R: Golfers Sifat Alag and Pranavi Urs in conversation with RNSM MD Rishi Narain

Sifat Alag Runner-Up Girls Under-21

Anika Varma receives the Girls Under-16 Runner-Up prize from Madhavi Manthani

Sunhit Bishnoi receives his Boys Under-18 Runner-Up prize from KGA president Sandeep Madhavan R.

48 golf digest india | february 2018

Saurav Rathi receives his Boys Under-16 Runner-Up award from Nitin Sood of IIFL Investment Managers

Junior Golf

IIFL Wealth Golf Invitational Faldo Series India Qualifying Legs

WINNERS - MUMBAI LEG GIRLS UNDER-16

ANANYA GARG

GIRLS UNDER-21

CHELSEA THAKKER

BOYS UNDER-16

SUDAAY CHALOO

BOYS UNDER-18

JAY VORA

BOYS UNDER-21

VEERJEET SANDU

WINNERS - DELHI LEG GIRLS UNDER-16

SERENA VIKRAM SINGH

GIRLS UNDER-21

SHWETA MANSINGH

BOYS UNDER-16

PURNAYUSH MANGAL

BOYS UNDER-18

VAIBHAV NAIR

BOYS UNDER-21

KARAN MEHTO

WINNERS - KOLKATA LEG GIRLS UNDER-16

CHITRANGADA SINGH

BOYS UNDER-16

SOUVIK NAYAK

BOYS UNDER-18

ARMAAN PARIKH

BOYS UNDER-21

M. ROHIND SINGH

february 2018 | golf digest india

Across The Country

CLUB ROUND-UP

To share news on your club or updates from across the country, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com

Bengaluru

Sadom Outplays Pandya At KGA For Amateur Crown Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana scored a crushing 8&7 victory over Jay Pandya to annex the 1 17th All-India Amateur Golf Championship title at Karnataka Golf Association, Bengaluru, on December 10. In the 36-hole finale, the 19-year-old Thai golfer hardly looked in trouble against his Indian rival. Sadom came with his guns blazing, going 4-up after the ninth hole. Pandya, 18, raised visions of a fightback when he won the 10th and 11th holes to reduce the deficit. Sadom, who won a pro title on the Thai Tour early this year, won three holes on the trot from the 14th, two of them with fine birdies, to push the Indian onto the backfoot.

Pandya won the 18th hole to go into the break four down. Sadom, ranked No. 44 in the world and who plans to turn pro soon after the Asian Games in Indonesia, won the fifth, sixth and seventh holes in the second session to take a 7-up lead. The writing was on the wall for Pandya, who needed to come up with something sensational to stem the tide. The turnaround never came as the Thai amateur won the 10th hole with a birdie to move closer to the title, leading 8-up with eight to go. Sadom closed out the final with a win on the 11th hole with a par. Result: Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thailand) bt Jay Pandya Runner-up Jay Panda (L) with All-India Amateur winner Sadom Kaekanjana of Thailand (India) 8&7

Bengaluru

New Delhi

Eagleton Hosts All-India Ladies Meet South Africa’s Danielle du Toit upped her game when it mattered to annex the 101st All-India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship crown at Eagleton Golf Resort, Bengaluru, on December 24. In an evenly-matched 36-hole finale, the 18-year-old South African scored a gritty 2&1 win over Malaysia’s Ashley Lau Jen Wen. Despite playing only her second tournament in six months – she was busy with her High School examinations – there was no rustiness in Danielle’s game. Result: Danielle du Toit (South Africa) bt Ashley Lau Jen Wen (Malaysia) 2&1. Danielle du Toit

50 golf digest india | february 2018

DGC’s Sanjeev Mehra honoured

SAARTHAK CHIBBER WINS ALL INDIA JUNIORS

Harvard University announced that the 23rd endowment of a head coaching position, The Bobby Jones ‘24 Coach for Harvard Men’s Golf’, was endowed by one of the oldest members of the Delhi Golf Club Mrs Prem KK Mehra and her son Sanjeev Mehra. “We are very grateful to the Mehra family for their generosity. This endowment will allow our men’s golf programme to pursue excellence in a matter that is consistent with our mission of ‘educating through athletics’ and in the context of our Ivy League principles,” Director of Athletics Bob Scalise said in a statement. The Mehra family made this philanthropic contribution in September 2017.

Mumbai

Putting Under Floodlights Willingdon Sports Club, Mumbai, hosted a putting competition under floodlights for its members and guests from other local golf clubs on November 3, 2017. Golfers, in groups of 4, teed off 6:30pm onwards. There were 108 participants in all from various Mumbai clubs with some interesting prizes to be claimed such as ‘Oldest Fourball’, ‘Best Team Name’, and ‘Best Dressed Team’. The ‘Best Dressed Team’ at Willingdon Sports Club’s putting event

FD E • G O L I G E ST I ND

G AM

GAM

When Golf Runs Within The Family

• ITATIVE GROW THE N I IA

IA I

Ahmedabad

E • GO L F DI GE S T I ND

Promoting Golf

TIVE • GRO W T NITA HE Navsari

CERTIFICATE COURSE IN TURF-GRASS MANAGEMENT AT NAVSARI

Grandfather Rajan Harivallabhdas (R) and Abhinav Patel (C) after their win in the ‘Champion Family’ event at Gulmohar Greens

Gulmohar Greens Go Golf 2018 teed off with its first event, ‘Champion Family’, on January 6-7, 2018. The unique concept, a brainchild of Gulmohar Greens Golf & Country Club in Ahmedabad, engages a team of 2 golfers from 3 generations in a family in one of three available categories. The tournament received high acclaim and witnessed participation from 7-yearolds to 70-year-olds hailing not only from Ahmedabad, but from Rajkot, Bharuch and the Air Force as well. Rajan Harivallabhdas (a grandfather) and Abhinav Patel (his grandson), both from Gulmohar Greens, teamed up to win in the Open Category. The 11-14 years category was won by sisters Rishwa Shah and Riya Shah from Gulmohar Greens, while the 7-10 years category was won by the father and daughter pairing of Suneet Wadhera and Ridhima Wadhera, also from Gulmohar Greens. The spot prize for ‘Best Looking Pair’ was won by Subroto Roy and Lina Roy.

Turf-based sports (golf, cricket, hockey, football, badminton and tennis) are gaining popularity in India and large corporate and industrial houses come with very large acreage. As a result, premium quality sport fields have grown phenomenally. At the same time, however, the number of qualified turf managers has not matched the said growth spurt and the country still requires competent personnel. Sensing this requirement for skilled and qualified candidates, Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Gujarat , has taken initiatives to develop and offer a certificate course in turf-grass management - the first of its kind in India. The programme is designed to sharpen the skills required to maintain modern turf facilities. Fur ther information on the curriculum can be found on NAU’s website, http://www.nau.in/

OXFORD GOLF RESORT ORGANISES CADDIE MATCHPLAY EVENT

To share news about initiatives to promote golf across the country, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com

february 2018 | golf digest india

Business of Golf

Thai Golf Passport Launched For Indians

Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Isra Stapanaseth (L) and leading women’s professional Vani Kapoor unveil the Thai Golf Passport

“Thailand is my favourite destination and I travel a number of times every year. I love the hospitality, food, facilities and of course golf. Thailand is truly amazing,” said Vani Kapoor, leading Indian women’s professional golfer

hen it comes to h o s p i t a l i t y, no country comes closer to perfection than Thailand offering something for everyone irrespective of their interest, age and budget. Amazing Thailand also has around 200 golf facilities with different geographical locations. Top quality courses, reasonable green fees, friendly caddies. From beach resorts in the south such as Phuket to the mountainous surroundings in the north, or the bustling cities of Bangkok and Pattaya, there are courses to suit every preference. To cater to the golf traveller, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the Thai Golf Passport in association with Indian Golf Travel Association (IGTA), leading tour & travel operator Cox & Kings and top equipment manufacturer – Callaway. Thai Golf Passport is a reward points loyalty program which will offer Indians a seamless golf experience in Thailand. Organisers announced that a number of golf courses, resorts and hotels have come together for this initiative.

Leading Indian pro Vani Kapoor, also a Thai Tourism ambassador, unveiled the program along with Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Isra Stapanaseth. Also present on the occasion were IGTA Vice President Gajendar Panwar, Cox & Kings Associate VP Rohan Prakash and Callaway India GM Prashant Singh. “For Thailand, India is a leading market. Keeping this in mind and ensuring value added services we have launched Thai Golf Passport. This will help individuals to enjoy golf in their favourite destination and help us in connecting with the golfing fraternity in India. The initiative will also keep the golfers updated on new courses, special offers and various events,” said Isra Stapanaseth. “Thailand is my favourite destination and I travel a number of times every year. I love the hospitality, food, facilities and of course golf. Thailand is truly amazing,” said Vani Kapoor, who was the best finisher (Tied 4th) in the recently concluded Hero Women’s Indian Open.

GOLFING UNDER THE BUDDHA’S GAZE Golfplan is set to unveil its new 18-hole design in the Silver Lake region south of Pattaya this spring. Chee Chan Golf Resort will debut its flamboyant new layout in the significant shadow of the Chee Chan Buddha, the 110-meter spiritual anchor to an existing resor t complex that already includes a water park, winery and shopping district. “Golf cultures in Asia develop on different tracks, some on the American model, some on the British model -- but Thailand is unique because it has created its own distinct culture, its own model,” says Golfplan partner David Dale, who directed the project. The terrain in Pattaya along the Gulf of Siam is generally quite flat, but Chee Chan Golf Resort is a glorious anomaly boasting fully 25 meters of elevation change, just the right amount to create a challenging, visually dramatic

Golfplan will be unveiling an 18-hole course in Pattaya this May

and walkable resort course that measures more than 7,200 yards from the championship tees. The property’s perimeter is further accented by a series of enormous,

52 golf digest india | february 2018

partly vegetated escarpments, some standing 150 meters high. It is here, on one of these massive rock faces that the Buddha

looms large. His serene visage is visible from multiple points on the property, including the entire opening hole.

Business of Golf

SMARTRON SIGNS ANIRBAN LAHIRI India’s first global OEM and IoT brand Smartron welcomed ace Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri as a brand endorser. Smartron signed a 5-year deal with the 30-year-old as main sponsors for all his tournaments and will support him as he continues making India proud at a global stage. Commenting on the partnership, Mahesh Lingareddy, Founder and Chairman, Smartron said, “We are delighted to welcome Anirban to the Smartron family, yet another Indian story that has been making global headlines. Anirban has gained a lot of popularity outside India as well including USA and Europe and make s a strong fit with Smar tron’s brand promise of an Indian technology company with

global ambitions. He represents ‘a pioneering spirit’ and ‘self-confidence’ with ‘Indianness’ which is core to Smartron’s brand ethos.” An enthused Lahiri said, “I am excited to be partnering with Smartron, an innovative India based tech giant with a global vision. Was ver y impre sse d with the products, tronX platform, the whole ecosystem they are building and ideas for the future.” The brand had earlier brought Sachin Tendulkar on board as brand ambassador and strategic shareholder.

“I am excited to be partnering with Smartron, an innovative India based tech giant with a global vision. Was very impressed with the products, tronX platform, the whole ecosystem they are building and ideas for the future,” said Anirban Lahiri, World No. 70

TaylorMade launches Twist Face Drivers

he new TaylorMade M3 and M4 family of woods are led by a pair of drivers that seek to change the technology landscape of the category. But unlike others who have stretched the boundaries of new materials and construction techniques and mass properties, these new drivers are looking to mine something potentially deeper: data. Research has led to faces with multiple curves for shots that work back toward the centreline. Both the M3 and M4 feature a unique multicurved face design, what the company is calling “Twist Face.” Most drivers feature consistent curve from heel to toe (bulge) and from crown to sole (roll). The idea of bulge and roll is that the negative effects of spin and launch on off-centre hits are counteracted by the proper face curvature. This is particularly true for bulge, which curves toe and heel shots that are launching with sidespin back toward the centreline for increased accuracy. Or so went conventional thinking.

National Golf Day Set for April

WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – has announced that the 11th annual National Golf Day will be held on April 25 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. National Golf Day celebrates the game’s nearly US$70 billion economy, nearly US$4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. Industry leaders will meet Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf’s 15,000-plus diverse businesses, 2 million jobs impacted, tax revenue creation and tourism value.

Hero MotoCorp Extends Title Sponsorship Of Indian Open Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest t wo -wheeler manufacturer, has extended its title sponsorship for the prestigious Indian Open for an undisclosed period, a statement said. The company has been sponsoring the most lucrative golf tournament in the country since 2005. The Indian Open will also return to DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon for the second consecutive year from March 8 to 11. The Hero Indian Open will be promoted for the first time this season by the national federation, Indian Golf Union (IGU), after liquidation proceedings were initiated by the Bombay High Court last year against previous promoters Iconic golfer Tiger Woods Nimbus Sport, sister concern of Nimbus with Hero MotoCorp CMD Pawan Munjal Communications. Last year, the tournament enjoyed a memorable debut on DLF’s Gary Player course as home favourite SSP Chawrasia successfully defended the title to claim his fourth European Tour win. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “We have been associated with various disciplines of sport over the past two decades, but our association with golf is especially gratifying because of the overarching growth the sport has seen during the past decade. We are pleased to extend our association with the Hero Indian Open, which we have now sponsored for the past 12 years. Brand Hero is now a major supporter of golf on all the three Tours – Asian Tour, European Tour and the US PGA Tour. With a very strong line-up expected once again this year, I am sure the fans have a lot to look forward to at the Hero Indian Open 2018.” Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, said: “The involvement of Hero MotoCorp has helped this tournament to go from strength to strength. Our thanks go to Mr. Pawan Munjal and his team for their continued support of Indian golf and in particular this event, which has proved to be of real benefit to emerging local golfers who have had the opportunity to grow their careers on the European Tour. We are delighted to return to the wonderful surroundings of the Gary Player course at DLF Golf & Country Club for the second year, and we look forward to seeing some of the stars of both the European Tour and the Asian Tour vie for the coveted Hero Indian Open title.” IGU President Satish Aparajit said: “The Hero Indian Open has become a very important stop on the European and Asian Tours. Besides attracting global stars, it has been a platform for upcoming juniors not only from all over Asia and Europe but also India. We once again look forward to some very exciting golf. We greatly appreciate the support we have received over the years from Hero MotoCorp.” february 2018 | golf digest india

Corporate Digest

MercedesTrophy

MercedesTrophy 2018 A Golfing Spectacle PUNE

Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Roland Folger

Pune winner Sachin Gangal

Winner Rajiv Pusalkar

BY DANNON MARTIS

ndia’s largest amateur golf tournament, the MercedesTrophy, teed off at the majestic Oxford Golf Resort in Pune. The opening leg was a two-day affair and was conducted on January 4-5, 2018. From among 200 golfers who staked their claim to win the two national finals spots on offer, Sachin Gangal, who carded a nett score of 70.6, and former naval officer Rajiv Pusalkar qualified. Oxford Golf Resort will also host the National Final to be held from April 4-6. From Pune, the tournament moved to the pristine Kalhaar Blues & Greens for the Ahmedabad leg on January 6. 96 golfers teed off to try and win the sole qualifying spot with Amit Shah emerging victorious, carding a nett score of 73.6. A delighted Shah said, “It is the best day of my life and winning a MercedesTrophy qualifier means a lot to me. I didn’t think I was going to win this but by god’s grace it

54 golf digest india | february 2018

Action during the golf clinic held at Oxford Golf Resort, Pune

Bollywood star R. Madhavan was a Category B winner in the Mumbai leg of the MercedesTrophy

Pune Leg Winners: Sachin Gangal, Rajiv Pusalkar

MercedesTrophy

Corporate Digest

AHMEDABAD

Winner Amit Shah with Roland Folger

Ahmedabad Leg Winner: Amit Shah

L-R: Bhavin Oza, Amit Shah, Karna Patel and Nirman Jhaveri

A golfer tees off at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens

MUMBAI

Cat B winner Rajesh Natarajan with Roland Folger L-R: Actor R. Madhavan, Mugdha Datar, Suzanne Folger and Roland Folger

L-R: Michael Jopp, Amit Kumar, Eszter Jopp and Gargi Sandu at the BPGC in Mumbai

was my day and I played well.â&#x20AC;? Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) hosted the Mumbai leg from January 1012, with two qualification slots on offer on each day, and the venue saw as many as 300 golfers participate. Day 1 winners were Bollywood star R Madhavan and Aman Tarangi, who turned in nett scores of 69.6 and 70.2 respectively. Paresh Kapashi (68) and Rajesh Natarajan (71.8) were the victors on Day 2, while Jaideep Singh (68.4) and Jaysinh Dave (72) clinched the last two qualifying spots on Day 3. The event will next head to Bengaluru, followed by Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kolkata, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jaipur. This year, MercedesTrophy aims to give back to the society. Mercedes-Benz India and Laureus Foundation have joined hands to raise money to help shape the future of underprivileged children. The playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; donations will be matched by Mercedes-Benz India and the proceeds will be used to fund development programmes by Laureus-supported India-based NGO, Magic Bus.

Mercedes-Benz India Vice President Michael Jopp and Cat B winner Jaysinh Dave

Mumbai Leg Winners Cat A (Handicap 0-18): Aman Tarangi, Paresh Kapashi, Jaideep Singh Winners Cat B (Handicap 19-24): R. Madhavan, Rajesh Natarajan, Jaysinh Dave

MercedesTrophy India 2018 Schedule DATE 2018

CITY

VENUE

Jan 4 & 5

Pune

Oxford Golf Resort

Jan 6

Ahmedabad

Kalhaar Blues & Greens

Jan 10 - 12

Mumbai

Bombay Presidency Golf Club

Jan 17 - 19

Bengaluru

Prestige Golfshire

Jan 24 & 25

Hyderabad

Hyderabad Golf Association

Jan 27

Coimbatore

Coimbatore Golf Club

Jan 31, Feb 1

Kolkata

Royal Calcutta Golf Club

Feb 15

Chennai

TNGF Cosmo

Feb 21, 22 & 23

Chandigarh

Panchkula Golf Course

Feb 27 & 28, March 1

Delhi

ITC Classic Golf Resort

March 7-9

Delhi

Jaypee Greens Golf Resort

March 11

Jaipur

Rambagh Golf Club

Pune

Oxford Golf Resort

National Final April 4 - 6

Completed legs at the time of going to press

february 2018 | golf digest india

Hi-Life Lifestyle

To share news on your products or updates on new launches, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com

EQUIPMENT

A DRIVER FOR THE DRIVEN 2 years under development, Mizuno has finally taken the wraps off the new MP series driver and it looks solid. The Type-1 is 435cc and it’s the lower spin, more workable forward and more shallow CG design of the two. The Type-2 is 460cc with a mid-trajectory still and low spin designed for straight shots. The JPX 900 is designed to create a high draw, The MP Type-2 will produce a mid-trajectory straight shot. The MP Type-1 will produce a low trajectory straight shot. It is also adjustable. One can adjust the adapter to change the loft from 7.5 to 11.5 in the Type 2 and 8.5 to 10.5 in the Type-1. It contains Mizunos Harmonic Impact Tech - this is why all MPs feel soft and spongy at impact. The MP series comes with an awesome cover, dedicated wrench and the standard shaft is the Tour AD J-D1 with many other great options shafts to be had as well through the Yoro dept. Price: Rs. 39,990

FASHION

CRAFTED FOR THE PASSIONATE GOLFER Mizuno, the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer long renowned for its beautiful, industry-leading forged golf clubs, also boasts a long and rich heritage in footwear and recently launched Wave Cadence for Spring/Summer 2018. Wave Cadence is the ultimate long-distance golf shoe, designed to go 36 holes and beyond. Based on Mizuno’s award-winning running platform, it blends the comfort and support of a high-end running shoe, with the lateral stability and traction needed in golf. Mizuno’s headline Wave platform technology provides a unique midsole design that delivers both cushioning and stability. Its unique shape, which is inspired by nature, helps to absorb and disperse the forces as the foot hits the ground, producing a smoother, more cushioned feel on every step. Price: 11,990 onwards

56 golf digest india | february 2018

Lifestyle GADGETS

UPPING THE LIFESTYLE GAME ON THE GO Wooing two distinct consumer segments, Samsung India launched two new smartphones in January: the stylishly high-spec Galaxy A8+ and the shopper-friendly Galaxy On7 Prime. Flaunting an Exynos octa-core processor and 6GB memory, the Galaxy A8+ is a performance powerhouse. It boasts other flagship-esque features too, such as a 6” Full HD Super AMOLED, Always On Infinity Display (18.5:9 display ratio), IP68 certification, Samsung Pay support and a 16 megapixel f/1.7 rear camera, besides the 16MP+8MP f/1.9 dual front camera – a first for Samsung. The metal-and-glass finish gives the phone an ergonomic build. The device is also the first in the A series to support Gear VR. Given the design and a price tag of INR 32,990, it is clear that the A8+ will directly compete with OnePlus’s 5T. Commenting on the launch, Aditya Babbar (General Manager, Mobile Business) said, “Galaxy A8+ comes with flagship features, never before seen on a smartphone in this price segment. It defies the ordinary and challenges the status quo. It is a phone with attitude, in all aspects.”

Albeit not as mighty as the A8+, the On7 Prime is no slouch either. The slim, all-metal unibody device packs a 5.5” Full HD screen along with 13-megapixel f/1.9 front and rear cameras, an Exynos octa-core processor and 4GB (or 3GB) memory. While these specifications seem a minor improvement on other Samsung mid-rangers, such as On Nxt and J7 Prime, the On7 Prime also comes pre-loaded with the company’s latest “Make for India” innovation – Samsung Mall. Apart from listing products from Amazon, Jabong, Shopclues and Tata CLiQ (with more partnerships on the way), the app builds on technological advancements to enhance the user’s search experience. All one has to do is click a picture of the desired item and let Samsung Mall search it out. “Samsung Mall does all the smart work and exactly finds out the product within five seconds. It makes use of Ar tificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for doing this,” said Sanjay Razdan, Director (Product Planning).

SPECIFICATIONS

SAMSUNG Galaxy A8+

On7 Prime

Display

6.0” Infinity Full HD

5.5” Full HD

Camera Front

Dual 16/8MP f1.9

13.0 MP f1.9

Camera Rear

16MP f1.7

13.0 MP f1.9

Memory RAM/ROM

6GB/64GB

4GB/ 64GB 3GB/ 32GB

Price

Rs. 32,990

Rs. 12,990 onwards

Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon with the Galaxy On7 Prime

ACCESSORIES

CARTIER REIMAGINES ITS CLASSIC WRIST WATCHES

It’s no secret that Cartier is the queen of jewelry watches, and this year they have released five entirely new watches collectively called the Libre Collection. But these aren’t your average jewelry watches – they are all numbered limited editions, making them a little more special. Each of the models has something different to offer, but they all focus on the disruption of a classic Cartier shape – the oval. Price: US$ 40,700 to 209,000 february 2018 | golf digest india

On the PGA Tour

English Duo Aim For More Glory Olympic Gold Medallist Justin Rose and European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood Spoke Exclusively To Golf Digest India About Their Goals For The New Season

Exclusive 58 golf digest india | february 2018

Tommy Fleetwood (L) and Justin Rose shake hands after completion of the third round of the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas

On the PGA Tour Justin Rose celebrates winning the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016

Know Rose Born – Johannesburg, South Africa Date of Birth – July 30, 1980 (37 years) Residence – London and Albany (Bahamas) World Ranking – 6

BY ROHIT BHARDWAJ AT NASSAU, BAHAMAS

ne created history by becoming the firstever Olympic gold medallist for Great Britain and the other became a runaway European No. 1 last year. One is more athletic in his looks and the other, with flowing hair and stubble, seems an avant-garde model. However, one thing that is common between the English duo of Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood is their unflinching determination to excel on the world stage and making 2018 the most memorable season for themselves. And how? Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood battled for the Race to Dubai title during the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and they played two rounds together at Albany’s Championship Course in Nassau (Bahamas) for the US$ 3.5 million Hero World Challenge. While Fleetwood ended tied3rd along with former World No. 1 Jordan Spieth, Rose had a tied-5th finish in the PGA Tour invitational.

“THE HERO CHALLENGE IS A GREAT ADDITION ON A TUESDAY NIGHT. THE WAY THEY ORGANISE IT WITH LIGHTS AND FIRE BURSTS, IT LOOKS COOL. BUT I AM A TRADITIONALIST AND BELIEVE THAT GOLF IS BEST PLAYED 72 HOLES STROKEPLAY. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A NEED TO BRING NEW FORMATS TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE GAME. BUT YOU KNOW TEST CRICKET – 5 DAYS, MANY GUYS LOVE THAT, SAME WAY IS 4-DAY GOLF.” —JUSTIN ROSE, WORLD NO. 6 GOLFER AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST Asked what keeps him motivated, having achieved

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Golf Digest India had featured Justin Rose on the cover of the Olympics Special in September 2016

individual Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro, Rose told Golf Digest India: “Every day I wake up, I try to do little things well. I try to take care of my body, work on my mental side, try to take care of my technique and put it together in tournament golf. There’s still a lot of things to achieve for me. A career Grand Slam in the Majors will be just my ultimate dream or goal. There’s three Major Championships I haven’t won, that keeps me motivated.” Rose had won the US Open,

International Wins – 19 PGA Tour – 8 (2010 Memorial, 2010 AT&T National, 2011 BMW Championship, 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship, 2013 US Open, 2014 Quicken Loans National, 2015 Zurich Classic, 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions) European Tour – 7 (2002 Dunhill Championship, 2002 Victor Chandler British Masters, 2006 MasterCard Masters, 2007 Volvo Masters, 2014 Scottish Open, 2015 UBS Hong Kong Open, 2017 Turkish Airlines Open) Japan Tour – 1 (2002 The Crowns) Asian Tour – 1 (2017 Indonesian Masters) Sunshine Tour – 1 (2002 Nashua Masters) Other Wins – 1 (2004 Bilt Skins Game) Major Record – 1 win (2013 US Open) 13 Top-10 Finishes

february 2018 | golf digest india

On the PGA Tour Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the 18th hole at the Championship Course in Albany during Round 3 of Hero World Challenge

“I WILL BE STARTING OFF ON TOP OF GOOD BUILDING BLOCKS, SO I LOOK TO IMPROVE AND SEE WHAT GOALS I CAN MAKE. I AM GOING TO PLAY MORE ON THE PGA TOUR.”

Know Fleetwood

—TOMMY FLEETWOOD, REIGNING EUROPEAN TOUR NO. 1 one of the Majors, in 2013 and aims to go past 6-time Major champion and English legend Nick Faldo in the future. Faldo was World No. 1 for 97 weeks which saw him pocket 3 Masters and as many British Open titles. “If I did that (Career Slam) I will try to chase down Nick Faldo’s record of 6 Majors. But right now I am just focusing on improving and winning more regularly. You can’t force it to happen. You got to trust your skill sets and make it happen,” added Rose, who clinched 3 international titles in 2017 along with 12 other top-10s. Being an Albany resident like tournament host Tiger Woods, Rose insisted that the golf superstar will spring some great surprises in 2018. “The golf world still wants to see Tiger Woods play golf. For me, he moves the needle. People are already interested in his journey, his story. It’s fantastic to have him back. I think he looks good and he is playing really well. I just enjoy seeing him smile and feeling good. He is hitting the ball well on the range and driving the ball far. The fact he is out of pain means that he has a lot of opportunities going

forward. I think everyone needs to be patient and not think of him coming out of the gates and winning. Knowing him I am sure he is going to surprise us all,” the 8-time PGA Tour winner said with a smile. Rose’s sentiments were echoed by compatriot Fleetwood. “For me and guys in my generation, we have been watching him do those amazing things. Everyone knows what he brings to tournaments, the hype etc. Hopefully he can stay fully fit now and keep improving and you never know what he’s capable of doing. Golf is very grateful to have Tiger back,” Fleetwood said. For professional golfers, managing injuries has always been a big issue as long flights, less time for relaxation and to u r n a m e n t p re s s u re a l l combine to force an injury. Rose had also encountered a big blow to his spine just before the Rio Olympics, pretty similar to Tiger Woods. “I struggled in 2016 just before Rio Olympics. I really had a tough time playing. I had the same kind of lower back trouble. Blew out my L-4, L-5 disc and

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had time away. Even though I won the gold medal in Rio still 2016 was a really hard year. You never quite know with an injury. It can affect your confidence too, you can’t practice as much as you used to,” Rose revealed. 2017 was an eventful year for Fleetwood. He left respected coach Pete Cowen and returned to his childhood teacher Alan Thompson. He then hired his best friend Ian Finnis to be his caddie and even tied the knot with longtime partner Claire Craig in the Bahamas just after the Hero World Challenge. So what are his hopes for 2018? “At the start of the year, I felt that my game had improved and one of the goals was to win a tournament again. I won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and later the HNA Open de France. The Race to Dubai was never the goal at the start of the year. I kind of excelled this year and I want to keep rolling the same way in the new season. “2017 was a clean slate. I will be starting off on top of good building blocks, so I look to improve and see what goals I can make. I am going to play more on the PGA Tour and some of my

Date of Birth – January 19, 1991 (26 years) Residence – Southport, England World Ranking – 18 Turned Pro – 2010 International Wins – 4 European Tour – 3 (2013 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, 2017 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, 2017 HNA Open de France) Challenge Tour – 1 (2011 Kazakhstan Open) Major Record – 1 Top-10 (T-4 at 2017 US Open) goals will be revolving around that. 2018 is also the Ryder Cup year and will have to see how to balance my calendar,” the 26-year-old added. With the Ryder Cup being staged in Europe, at Le Golf National in Paris, the Englishmen will look to wrest the trophy back from Team USA, who had excelled in home conditions at Hazeltine in 2016. Interestingly, USA have not won the Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993.

On the PGA Tour The TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Boston, Massachusetts

5 Decades That Transformed Golf In USA

n December 13, 1968, professional touring g olfer s who had been members of the PGA of America, issued their Statement of Principles and their intent to split from the PGA of America, which was an organisation primarily for golf course and club professionals. The players’ plan was to form an organisation for players who play tournament golf for a living. In other words, they were forming the modernday PGA Tour. The statement read, in part, “A Tournament Players Division will be immediately organised within the PGA. Its membership shall include all ‘Tournament Players’ as defined by the PGA Constitution and all Approved Tournament Players and graduates of the recent APG (Association of Professional Golfers) Qualifying School.” And that simple paragraph described how the current PGA

Tour came into existence, how the best players in the world slowly moved away from the organisation to which it had belonged for 52 years. After years of wrangling, the touring pros—the players who went from town to town playing in tournaments—had been attempting to separate themselves from the other professionals in the PGA of America, the pros who work at golf courses and teach lessons and sell. Quite simply, they wanted their own organisation that helped them do their jobs and allow them to make more money in avocations that were distinctly different from their club-pro counterparts. While confusing, two organisations sharing the same distinct three letters—PG-A, for Professional Golfers Association—the PGA of America remained intact, essentially the same as it had since its inception in 1916, only without

the touring pros. The American Professional Golfers, or the APG, as it was known during the split, would eventually become the PGA Tour. It has now been close to 50 years since that occurred, the actual anniversary about 11 months from now. Although this move in 1968 had been months—even years—in the making, the Tour came into being on November 18 and 19, 1968, at a law office in New York. Tour players Gardner Dickinson, Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper, Dan Sikes, Doug Ford, Frank Beard, Don January, Arnold Palmer, John Murchison and Davis Love, Jr. were present, as was, among others, Deane Beman, chairman of the Young Players Advisory Council. Everything from that November meeting had to do with how the two organisations would officially separate. One of the first things that occurred

was the Tour establishing a temporary office on Park Avenue in New York, a great distance from the PGA of America’s offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A few months later, in 1969, the Tour hired Joe Dey as its first commissioner. Dey led the players in the early year and handled the new organisation’s business and competition interests. He also guided the Tour when it moved its offices to Washington, D.C. Dey remained as commissioner until March of 1974. Beman succeeded Dey, and in 1979 the Tour moved to the warm weather of Florida, settling in the beach enclave of Ponte Vedra Beach, an area familiar to Beman because of the Tour’s annual visit to the Jacksonville area for the Greater Jacksonville Open and the home to the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, the first golf course in the area. The Tour finally put down roots and has remained there since.

february 2018 | golf digest india

On the PGA Tour

TOUR SNIPPETS JANUARY FOR JARROD The PGA TOUR launched a fundraising effort in early January called “January for Jarrod” to help Jarrod Lyle and his family meet the significant costs he faces after undergoing his third bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia on December 6. Lyle, 36, and currently a member of the Web.com Tour who has also been a PGA TOUR member on five occasions—between 2007 and 2016—suffered a third leukemia recurrence in July 2017. Doctors performed the surgery in Melbourne, Australia, about 90 minutes from his home in Torquay. There is no timetable for Lyle’s return to golf, with Lyle focusing exclusively on his rehabilitation at this time. “It’s of utmost importance for the PGA Tour family and the golf community to come together and help Jarrod and his family both spiritually and financially during January for Jarrod month,” said PGA Tour Executive Vice President Andy Pazder.

Jarrod Lyle

Mackenzie Tour Captures Second Aruba Cup Having lost the inaugural edition of the Aruba Cup - a Presidents Cup-style competition that features one day of foursomes, one day of four-ball and one day of singles matches – to PGA Tour Latinoamerica in 2016, the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada sought revenge. T.J. Vogel provided the exclamation point for the third straight day as Team Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada prevailed 10.5 to 9.5 in a thrilling finish to win the second annual Aruba Cup at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf in Aruba. “It feels amazing,” said Mackenzie Tour Team Captain Ben Silverman, who saw his team begin the day with a three-point

PGA Tour Canada players celebrate their Aruba Cup victory

62 golf digest india | february 2018

lead but quickly found his side trying to hold off a late rally. “The Latinoamérica Team really pushed hard at the end, and you’ve got to give them a lot of credit for the way they fought back today.” “It was a lot closer than we anticipated, but a win’s a win and I’m just happy for the guys,” said Vogel, who added that his experience early in the week helped him come through in the clutch again. Robby Shelton and Vogel both went 2-0-1 in their three matches to lead the PGA Tour Canada side, while Hank Lebioda, also at 2-0-1, had the best showing for PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

Lee McCoy

MCCOY IS WEB.COM TOUR MEDALLIST

After an injury prevented Georgia alum Lee McCoy from playing his Second Stage site in 2016, the 23-year-old made the most of his opportunity, posting rounds of 65-67-63-65–260 at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in Chandler, Arizona, to finish at 28-under. In so doing, he earned medalist honors and a fully exempt status for the 2018 Web.com Tour season. Victory did not come easily for McCoy, however, who edged South Korean Sung Jae Im by 2 strokes. The pair entered Sunday tied for the lead at 21-under and quickly turned the Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course into their own battlefield. “I think it was Jack Nicklaus that was famous for saying that most of the tournaments he won, he didn’t really win, other guys lost,” McCoy remarked. “That was not the case today. I had to go out there and win. We had a great battle out there today. Every time I thought I had gotten far enough ahead and could start playing conservative, he would roll in a 20-footer and it was a little frustrating at times, but it’s nice to be able to push yourself that hard in a big spot and come out on top.” Images: PGA Tour/Getty Images/TGR Live

On the PGA Tour

Prize Money Increase Set for Canada Tour

Billy Horschel Bubba Watson

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada announced January 9 that Tournament prize money will increase by Canadian $25,000 at every 2018 event. Regular, fullfield Tournaments will offer purses of $200,000, with the season-ending, limited-field (60 players) Freedom 55 Financial Championship providing a $225,000 purse. “Thanks to the hard work of our Tournament host organizations and our sponsors, who have helped establish and grow each Tournament in their respective communities, Mackenzie Tour players will now be competing for more money as they aim to make their way to the Web.com Tour in 2019,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday. The 2018 season will begin at the Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. May 31-June 3 and conclude at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship at Highland Country Club in London, Ontario, September 10-16, with the full 2018 schedule to be announced in the coming weeks.

Dustin Johnson with the Sentry Tournament of Champions trophy

PGA TOUR SAYS ALOHA TO HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY The PGA Tours completed another successful twoweek run in Hawaii, holding the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui and the Sony Open in Hawaii in Oahu. The PGA Tour and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) announced in January a four-year extension of their official marketing partnership that will continue to promote the state’s golf and Tourism industry through 2022. The PGA Tour traditionally opens the calendar year with two weeks in Hawaii, with Dustin Johnson winning the Sentry Tournament of Champions and Patton Kizzire taking the Sony Open in Hawaii in a playoff, at the start of this year. The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai on the island of Hawai‘i opened the PGA Tour Champions season in mid-January, with Germany’s Bernhard Langer the defending champion. In addition to supporting these Tournaments, the HTA also uses golf media as a platform to showcase the Hawaiian Islands and their many recreational activities. “January has become synonymous with amazing golf in Hawai‘i, with two PGA Tour events and one PGA Tour Champions event,” said Brian Oliver, PGA Tour Executive Vice President Corporate Partnerships.

PGA Tour Tournaments Set Charitable Donations Record

or years now, the PGA Tour has told its fans that “these guys are good.” Since the mid2000s, the Tour has also said told us “together, anything’s possible.” Well, these guys are good, which means, yes, together, anything’s possible. On January 7, at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the PGA Tour and its Tournaments generated more than U.S. $180 million for charitable causes in 2017, surpassing the 2016 record-setting amount by approximately $14 million. This total includes donations made by Tournaments on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Web.com Tour, Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamérica and PGA Tour Series-China. The announcement brings the all-time total generated for charity by the PGA Tour to $2.65 billion. The Tour surpassed $1 billion in 2005 and $2 billion at the beginning of 2014. “The entire PGA Tour family takes tremendous pride in the positive impact that we continue to make each year through the millions of dollars that are

raised for very deserving charitable organizations,” said Monahan, now in his second year leading the PGA Tour. “As we often note, beyond the sheer dollar amount, the real story is in the hundreds of thousands of lives that benefit from these contributions every year. Thank you to all of the Tournaments, players, sponsors, volunteers and fans who make all of this possible.” In 2017, five PGA Tour events raised more than $10 million for charity—the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Valero Texas Open, DEAN & DELUCA Invitational, the John Deere Classic and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. In addition to those Tournaments, the biennial Presidents Cup announced a record donation of more than $10.7 million as a result of the 2017 event held at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. The PGA Tour’s flagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship, generated $8.7 million in 2017, a large portion of which benefits North Florida children’s charities as part of the Tournament’s commitment to generate $50 million for youth-related charities over 10 years.

february 2018 | golf digest india

On the European Tour

Fleetwood Wins Seve Ballesteros Award Tommy Fleetwood

ommy Fleetwood has been awarded The Seve Ballesteros Award – formerly the Players’ Player Award – winning the 2017 vote by his fellow professionals at the end of a superb European Tour season in which he claimed the Race to Dubai for the first time in his career. The award is voted for by European Tour members and carries the name of the legendary Spaniard, who remains one of golf’s most inspirational icons and will always be considered one of the European Tour’s greatest ambassadors ever. It would be a year to remember for Fleetwood as he broke inside the top-20 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career and produced ten Top-10 finishes overall. He also became the first Englishman since Luke Donald in 2011 to win the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex and sign off the year as European No. 1. “Winning the Seve Ballesteros award has actually made me the most emotional out of all the things I’ve won,” said Fleetwood. “It is voted for by the players and for me there’s still so many guys that when I come out, I was looking up to and you watch people on the range and you try to learn from them. “I’ve made a lot of friends, and I think for people to vote for me as Players’ Player of the Year is just something else. It’s different to

64 golf digest india | february 2018

“TOMMY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A POPULAR FIGURE AMONG HIS PEERS AND WE HAVE ALL ENJOYED WATCHING HIS RISE.” — KEITH PELLEY, EUROPEAN TOUR CEO anything I’ve achieved before. It’s very flattering and very humbling.” European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley said, “Tommy had a remarkable season on the European Tour and is a truly deserving winner of The Seve Ballesteros Award. He has always been a popular figure among his peers and we have all enjoyed watching his rise through the golfing ranks over the past 18 months.” Tournament Committee Chairman David Howell added: “Watching the diligent way you’ve gone about being a professional golfer over the years, being so disciplined, dedicated and driven, it’s very fitting that you went on to have the amazing year that you had last year. The Seve Ballesteros Award – an impressive silver and gold circular plate 46cm in diameter – has the names of all the European Tour members who have won Major Championships, starting with Seve’s own

Open triumph at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1979, inscribed around the central image which is of his famous fist-pumping celebrations on the 18th green of the Old Course at St Andrews after his Open win there in 1984. Javier Ballesteros, Seve’s eldest son, said: “It is great to see Tommy Fleetwood receiving the Players’ Player of the Year Award, now the Seve Ballesteros Award, in honour to our father. He’s had a sensational year, not just because he has won twice but mainly for his consistency and the way he has played all season. My brothers, Miguel and Carmen, and I are delighted, we think he is a great competitor who has also achieved the recognition of his fellow professionals”. It also has the names of all the previous winners of the European Tour Players’ Player of the Year award inscribed around the outer circle, those being: Padraig Harrington (2008), Lee Westwood (2009), Martin Kaymer (2010), Rory McIlroy (2011, 2014 and 2015), Luke Donald (2012), and Henrik Stenson (2013, 2016). Finally, around Seve’s central image is a quote from the European Tour’s founding father, the late John Jacobs OBE, whose words sum up how most people in the game felt about the Spaniard: It simply says: “Seve’s supreme talent, flair and passion for golf inspired millions around the world.”

On the European Tour

Golfsixes Attracts New Generation Of Golf Fans As It Returns For 2018

Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (L) shakes hands with Alexander Levy of France during the GolfSixes at Centurion Club last year

olfSixes, the shortformat golf concept, attracted younger, new fans to the game while delivering impressive social media engagement, according to new analysis by the European Tour. The GolfSixes format was trialled in response to growing demand for shorter, more intensive competition. It replicates other successful short-form sport concepts such as the T20 Big Bash, World Rugby Sevens Series, Nitro Athletics and Tie Break Tens. Data from the inaugural GolfSixes competition last year shows that it saw a 42% increase in new golf fans at the event compared to standard European Tour tournaments. Those attendees were also 14% younger than those seen during the rest of the golfing calendar. By virtue of attracting a younger following, social media engagement around the event also exceeded the average rate seen at other European Tour tournaments

by 24%, delivering over 20 million social impressions. In response to the positive findings, GolfSixes will return to the European Tour calendar and will once again be hosted at the prestigious Centurion Club. Na t h a n H o m e r, C h i e f Commercial & Marketing Officer of the European Tour, said: “GolfSixes combines the camaraderie and intrigue of team golf with the drama and intensity of a shorter format. The players love it, and the fans enjoy the different, more entertaining atmosphere. Last year we tested the concept and this year we will dial up the fan engagement still further. “Golf needs a route for younger fans, groups of adults and families to get involved. We know that GolfSixes appeals to those audiences while still offering something to our die-hard fans. We have to keep innovating in order to grow our appeal and the statistics suggest GolfSixes can have a powerful presence in

Thorbjorn Olesen (L) and Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark

THE GOLFSIXES FESTIVAL WILL BE PLAYED ON MAY 5 AND 6 AT CENTURION CLUB, NORTH OF LONDON, FEATURING GOLFERS FROM 16 NATIONS the golfing calendar.” The European Tour has also committed to running a special showcase event during The 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris in order to bring the GolfSixes concept to a global audience. Homer added: “The Ryder Cup transcends all sport and is

one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet. It is the perfect platform to introduce a wide cross-section of sports fans to GolfSixes. Setting aside time in The Ryder Cup schedule for it demonstrates our commitment to the concept and our firm belief it has long term potential.”

february 2018 | golf digest india

On the European Tour

The Average European Tour Pro In 2017 Every Tour player hits their driver 300 yards, finds every Green In Regulation (GIR) and gets up and down from the sand every time, right? Wrong. Much like us amateurs, all professional golfers have their strengths and weaknesses so we decided to look at how the average European Tour pro stacks up across the various stats departments. In golf, a good Stroke Average is a sign that your overall game is working well. In 2017, the average score among European Tour players was 71.56. Masters Champion Sergio Garcia led the way with 69.30, joining Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Julian Suri as the only players to average under 70 in 2017. In total, 168 players averaged less than 72.

Perhaps the most talked about statistic in professional golf. Every player is continually in a search for more distance off the tee. In 2017, the average European Tour player hit the ball 290.8 yards while no fewer than 35 players averaged more than 300 yards from tee – the most in European Tour history. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy led the way in Driving Distance with a mammoth average knock of 319.5 yards. The shortest was SSP Chawrasia, who averaged just 262.5 yards. Despite that, Chawrasia secured his fourth European Tour title at his native Hero Indian Open.

The average cost of missing a fairway on a hole is somewhere in the region of 0.3 to 0.4 shots, and over 72 holes, finding the short grass becomes more important. The average player hit just 58.1% of fairways in 2017, equating to around eight per round. Of players to have completed more than 30 rounds last season, Henrik Stenson led the way with 74.3% (just over ten per round), while Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood also hit more than 70% on average.

To score well you need to make birdies. To make birdies you need to be on the green (most of the time). In 2017, European Tour pros found an average of 67.17% of Greens in Regulation (GIR), equating to 12 per round. This year’s European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood led the Tour in Greens, finding the putting surface 77.4% of the time, equating to around 14 GIR per round. Only Fleetwood and Thomas Aiken (the leader in this category in two of the previous three years) averaged more than 75% of GIR but the highpowered trio of Sergio Garcia (74.5%), Justin Rose (73.8%) and Henrik Stenson (73.8%) weren’t far behind.

Scrambling is the rate at which a player makes par or better on holes where they missed the GIR. In 2017, players saved par a little more than half of the time (55.1%). As a perfect example of just how important scrambling can be, the 2017 Golfer of the Year Sergio Garcia led the way, saving par or better 125 times from 188 total missed greens for a scrambling percentage of 66.5%. Only 26 players averaged more than 60%.

Escaping greenside bunkers is another area where Tour pros have to excel at in order to preserve a good score; something they did on average 54.8% of the time. For the second year running, Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares led this category (of any player with more than 30 stat rounds), getting down from the sand in two or less shots 51 times from a total of 51 bunkers (73.9%).

One will very rarely find an event winner ranking outside the top ten in either Putts per Green In Regulation or Putts per Round. The averages for those metrics on Tour in 2017 were 1.783 and 29.6 respectively, with Marcus Fraser topping the former (1.721) and double winner Jon Rahm (28.1) leading the latter.

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On the European Tour

Five Predictions For 2018 On The European Tour Rory McIlroy

nce again, the European Tour dished out its fair share of twists and turns in a dramatic 2017 season that began with a victory against the odds for Sam Brazel in Hong Kong and concluded in gripping fashion in Dubai. After finishing 41st in the Race to Dubai Rankings the previous season, who would have called Tommy Fleetwood’s phenomenal form to take the season-ending glory in 2017? Who would have foreseen Sergio Garcia’s first Major success coming against old friend Justin Rose on a pulsating final day at Augusta National? With the new year already upon us, here are five storylines that could materialise, from a new World No. 1 to some successful Major runs.

Henrik Stenson

Stenson to win again

Back-to-back Top-10s at The Open and US PGA Championship made everybody sit up and take notice of Tyrrell Hatton in 2016. While strong performances in the Majors eluded him in 2017, two more European Tour titles and five other Top-10s meant his strong ascension continued. Furthermore, Hatton’s links pedigree might mean a strong Open finish is on the cards, particularly given that his last two rounds at this year’s venue, Carnoustie, are 65 and 67.

In 2016, Henrik Stenson won The Open, claimed a Silver Medal at the Rio Olympics and won the Race to Dubai for the second time in four years. It was always going to be a battle to match or even exceed that in 2017, although that did not stop the Iceman from claiming runner-up spots at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and WGC-HSBC Champions. The 41-year-old remains one of the best ball-strikers on tour. It will not take much for the Swede to get back in regular contention for titles, particularly if he can come back in peak condition following an end-of-year rib injury.

Rahm to reach World No. 1

Rory to win his fifth Major

Hatton to get Major top-5

You can never guarantee anything in this game, but a successful 2018 for Jon Rahm is as close as you can get to sure-fire thing. With two Rolex Series wins in 2017, Rahm gathered the momentum to climb to World No. 4 and finished the year in fifth place. Not bad for a 23-year-old who started the year outside the Top-100 and his performances clearly suggest this is a guy who can find success anywhere.

If McIlroy’s winter break works the way he intends, 2018 could be the year he wins his fifth Major. It is possible he could complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters in April; he possesses a strong record at Augusta National, most notably four straight Top-10s since 2014. An injury-free build-up, something he did not get this year, would give him a chance of claiming a first Green Jacket. McIlroy can certainly mix it on an Open

Tyrell Hatton

Jon Rahm

links, too, with three Top-5s in as many appearances. His 2014 victory at Royal Liverpool was vintage McIlroy and a return to similar form would make him difficult to beat. After claiming two wins in three years at the US PGA Championship, McIlroy has struggled lately to find his game in the year’s closing Major, while a second US Open title has proved similarly elusive in recent years. Make no mistake, though, if the Northern Irishman has a healthy run this season another Major is on the cards.

Li Haotong to finish in style

Twice in 2016 Li Haotong put on a Sunday masterclass to surge up the leaderboard, including during the final 18 holes at Royal Birkdale with the Claret Jug on the line. The Chinese, already a European Tour winner thanks to a home win at the Volvo China Open in 2016, fired what was then a joint-record Major score of 63 at Birkdale to put the pressure on Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar. Whether another comeback round will result in victory in 2018 is yet to be seen, but his all-round game is in shape to contest in a big tournament. february 2018 | golf digest india

On the European Tour

Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand booked his European Tour card through the Qualifying School

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Jazz Janewattanond:

from the temple to the European Tour 2017 was a huge one for Jazz Janewattanond. The young Thai won for the first time on the Asian Tour in February, and by November he was a European Tour player after earning a card at Qualifying School in dramatic style. Before his victory in the Bangladesh Open, the 22-yearold had only once been in the running for an Asian Tour title, but Janewattanond came into that week with a secret advantage. In January, he entered a monkhood for a fortnight in Chiang Rai, a stunning mountain-lined district in the north of his native Thailand. After 14 days of quiet reflection under the guidance of the revered Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vaijramedhi, Janewattanond left as a “different man” with a new outlook on life, and golf. Within weeks he was a champion – something he credits to his time spent as a monk. “It is a Thai tradition,” he said. “In Buddhism before you are 30 you need to do it, and with our king passing away I wanted to do something good for him. “I learned from Phra that happiness is the greatest thing in life. Before that golf was everything to me, and it gave me so much pressure during competition. I have been competing with less pressure ever since.

“I was instructed by the monks to learn to give, so I started donating some of my prize money to needy children and charities. When you have more than enough, it’s better to share it with others who are in difficulty. “You come out of an experience like that as a different man. You don’t think too much about the future or the past and you always try to stay in the present.” In the year of his breakthrough win Janewattanond also secured his first European Tour top five – he was a joint runnerup at the Fiji International – and also became a member of the tour for the first time. Janewattanond teed up at the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School for the first time this year, and after five tough rounds in Spain he still had work to do to earn a card. In fact, Janewattanond still had work to do with one hole to go. Needing an eagle at the par-five 18th to earn a card, Janewattanond produced a moment of magic by chipping in from the fringe of the green. Now the proud owner of a European Tour card, what are Janewattanond’s hopes for this season? “The goal now is to win on the European Tour,” he said. “I want to keep moving forward in the same direction.”

68 golf digest india | february 2018

MATCH

INDIA DATE

IST

Maybank Championship Malaysia Day 1 Session 1

01.02.18