Precise iron play will be key: Bhullar

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 06:30 PM

Yangon (Myanmar), Apr 7 (PTI) Rising Indian golf star Gaganjeet Bhullar, who will make his debut at the USD 300,000 Air Bagan Myanmar Open tomorrow, feels precise iron play will be the key factor to victory this week. "You have a lot of back stops on the green and the fairways are wide. But you still need to keep the ball on the fairway. The key is to hit more greens in regulation because it is not easy around the greens," said the 21-year-old, who finished sixth in last week''s SAIL Open in New Delhi. Winner of Asian Tour International in Thailand, Bhullar is riding on a wave of confidence and is hoping to continue his stellar run when he tees off at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club. Myanmar Open, which is making a return to the Asian Tour Schedule after a four-year hiatus, boosts of a strong field featuring 12 of the top-20 players from the Order of Merit. Thailand''s Thaworn Wiratchant, Chinese Taipei''s Lin Wen-tang, American Jason Knutzon, Japanese star Hideto Tanihara, Andrew Dodt of Australia and Richard Karlberg of Sweden are amongst those looking to sparkle in the event. Gaganjeet Bhullar believes winning a second Asian Tour title has inspired him to shoot for more glory, especially with the strong support that he is receiving back home. "After I won my first tournament, all the mental blockages were totally gone and I was a different person after that. That led to my second title and winning so early in the season gives you a huge boost in confidence. "When I go back to India, people start recognising me on the golf course. It is not pressure at all and when people come up to ask me for an autograph, it inspires me to do better in my career," added the young Indian. Myanmar''s hopes will rest on Zaw Moe, who is recovering from a bout of illness and the golfing star said the local players were excited to feature in their national Open after the four-year break. "It is really exciting for the local players to play in an Asian Tour tournament. It helps develop the sport in the country and I''m definitely looking forward to playing my best this week," said Moe, who has won once on the Asian Tour. PTI ATK

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