There are some uncanny similarities in the recent career-graphs of Bangalore golfer Khalin Joshi and Amardip Sinh Malik of Noida.
Joshi and Malik secured their maiden professional victories on the PGTI towards the end of last year. Interestingly, both achieved the feat at the same venue, the Noida Golf Course. Both golfers have been in prime form since their breakthrough wins. While Khalin won his second title on the PGTI in April, registered three other top-5s on the tour and recorded a top-20 on the Asian Tour, Amardip also delivered three top-6 finishes on the PGTI.
The Indian duo has now also posted their career-best Asian Tour finishes at the recently concluded Bashundhara Bangladesh Open. While Joshi claimed a creditable joint runner-up finish, two strokes behind the winner Mardan Mamat of Singapore, Malik ended the week in tied seventh spot to be the only other Indian in the top-10.
The major difference between the two golfers is that Khalin turned pro just two years back while the more experienced Amardip has been playing on the pro circuit for nearly a decade.
The two golfers, the latest in a long line of Indians to make their presence felt on the Asian Tour, now look set to take the big leap onto the international stage.
“I feel I’m used to the professional tour now and am enjoying myself more on the course. That has helped raise my performance levels. In my first two years on the professional circuit I think I expected too much of myself and thereby didn’t get the desired results.
“The win in Ahmedabad in April this year really boosted my confidence as I shot a course record in the final round to come from eight shots behind. I’ve been hitting the ball well since then. I now need to work on my putting which let me down in Dhaka,” said the 23-year-old Joshi, whose previous best on the Asian Tour was tied 11th at the SAIL-SBI Open 2013.
The 30-year-old Malik, who also improved upon his previous Asian Tour best of tied 17th at the Panasonic Open India 2013, with a solid performance at the inaugural Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, said, “Winning last year has totally changed my approach to the game. Anirban’s (Lahiri) performances on the international stage have also been a huge motivating factor for me. He’s a friend and his successes have encouraged me to raise my game.”
Incidentally, Khalin and Amardip, both of whom missed out on their Asian Tour card at the qualifying school earlier this year, will now look to make the most of their limited opportunities in Asia.
Nikhil Kalaan is Golf Writer & Media Manager, Professional Golf Tour of India
