2015 was certainly the harbinger of a new era in Indian golf. In this special feature we try and capture the five essential moments that underlined the growing strength of golf in India. The headlines may have mostly been around the brilliant accomplishments of Anirban Lahiri, but there were some great stories across the board. Women, boys and girls – they came in droves and a welcome flood of joy drenched us golfing fans from all around.
Our men and women shone through their exploits in India and beyond. Journey with us and relive those moments.
#5 Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia outshine an international field in the Indian Open
The Indian duo combined to outclass an international field of golfers at the Indian Open, an event co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours. On a dramatic Sunday that began with Chawrasia leading by three over the field, Lahiri began his seven behind and seemingly out of contention. But the men in front stuttered, especially Chawrasia, who started to get extremely nervous midway through the final round.
No such butterflies existed for Lahiri, who played with icy calm to work himself into contention, including a magical rescue from off the green at the 17th hole. At the end of it all, the two men were locked in a playoff after they edged out Joakim Lagergren, Mithun Perera, Prayad Marksaeng and Marcus Fraser by just a solitary shot.
Chawrasia was clearly a spent force by then – the mental agony of squandering a comfortable lead consumed his soul. And Lahiri won the title on the first play off hole to set about on a year filled with excitement. The Indian Open has been around for a long time, but the 2015 edition will be remembered for bringing global attention to Indian golf and the classy performances of Chawrasia and Lahiri, who towered over a strong field.
It was a Sunday that foretold a great year for Indian golf, for those that could sense the change in the air.
#4 Shubham Jaglan and Ranveer Saini inspire a young generation of golfers
The stories of Shubham Jaglan and Ranveer Saini were bathed in inspiration and circulated with fervour. The teenaged boys inspired the nation with their awe inducing efforts and through their world beating golf.
First, the eleven year old Jaglan. The 11 year old son of a milkman left pundits gaping in admiration when he won the Junior World Golf Championships in July, before going on to capture the IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf title, just a week later.
He was the first Indian to do so and his success was accentuated by the fact that his family background was rather unconventional for the regular golf circuit.
Also Watch: The Anirban Lahiri Interview for 2016
At the Olympics in July we were confronted with another heart warming story, that came as a beautiful gift. The differently gifted Ranveer Saini brought laurels to the country by winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
The exploits of these two teenagers were stories that were bleeding romance. Their narrative possessed a philosophical scent that was hard to ignore. Let us wish both the boys enormous happiness as they continue to pursue their dreams.
#3 Mukesh Kumar and S Chikkarangappa gave us an exciting battle to remember for the Rolex Player of the Year
The two contenders for this year’s honours on the PGTI circuit could not have been more different. One of them is old enough to be living a retired life, perhaps sharing his wisdom and experience on occasion. The two men were separated by a whopping 28 years, but none of that mattered to six time order of merit winner Kumar.
The 50 year old was leading Chikkarangappa by over 8 lakhs when they reached Kolkata for the McLeod Russell Tour Championship at the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club. In the end it took a massive effort from the 22 year old from Bengaluru to win the tournament and edge ahead of his veteran competitor.
In a very meaningful way, it was an event that signified the resilience of our yesteryear golfers and the emergence of the current generation. Mind you, Chikka played just eight events this season on the PGTI Tour, having been busy securing his card on the Asian Tour.
With full status on the Asian Tour, India’s leading golfer is set to reach out to new frontiers on his incredible journey to success. It is easy to forget that Chikka is the son of farm labourers and was a daily wager himself, working for Rs. 50 when he was just 10 years old.
He used fallen tree branches to practice his first swings, but a dozen years later has people watching him play a spectacular game of golf, standing around trees and applauding in glee.
#2 The year of Anirban Lahiri
He may have started to shape his story toward the end of last year, but 2015 will always be the year that the world stood up and took notice of Anirban Lahiri. You might even wonder why Lahiri is at #2 on our list, but spare us some air and allow the explanation to follow later.
Lahiri won in India and Malaysia, both events sanctioned by the European Tour to ride inside the top 40 golfers in the world. Suddenly doors opened for Lahiri and who can forget that final round at the Masters when he made eighteen straight pars to sign off in style. The fact that Lahiri felt disappointed at not doing better, told us of a golfer who wasn’t willing to sign up for being second best.
After missing the cut at Chambers Bay, Lahiri redeemed himself promptly by finishing T31 at the Open Championship in St Andrews. And then came the big moment – Lahiri won the long drive event at the Whistling Straits, before going on to register the best finish by an Indian at a major. He finished T5 after a brilliant week on a demanding course.
His participation the Presidents Cup and the Asian Tour Order of Merit seemed like the perfect icing on his cake. It certainly was a year to celebrate for Anirban and Indian golf.
#1 Aditi Ashok, need we say more?
It is really difficult to capture the conquest of this young girl in words. Still in junior college, Aditi has been whipping up a real storm this year. If her success at the St. Rule Trophy and Lawson Trophy came as a breath of fresh air in June, it was to be just the beginning of a great voyage.
Not very long after she became the first Asian to win the tournament at St Andrews Links, including a record breaking score of 8-under along the way, she was far from done. A couple of months later, she travelled to Leeds in August and won the Ladies British Amateur Stroke Play Golf Championship.
In between, she proved to be too much to handle for her compatriots on the WGAI Tour when they competed against her at the KGA course in Bengaluru.
But the big moment came unannounced in December. Aditi was in Morocco for the Ladies European Tour Q-School Final Qualifying, but few if any ventured to imagine what she was about to achieve.
The irrepressible teenager blew her competition away, winning the tournament by a comfortable three shot margin. It is even more incredible when you realise that she was an amateur among seasoned professionals battling for existence on the LET.
Along the way once again, Aditi shot a course record 62 to set up her memorable victory with an assured performance on the final day. The youngster showed no nerve or fatigue despite having to play a marathon 90 holes to earn the right to compete with the best in Europe.
It was to my mind the biggest achievement in golf for 2015, with due apologies for everything that Anirban did for us this season. After all Aditi is just a girl in school in a country where the women’s tour is no more than a dozen golfers strong.
A massive future awaits Anirban, Aditi, Chikka and a host of other golfers. And Golfing Indian will be your proud companion on this promising journey bringing you every pitch and putt as it happens.
