Shiv Kapur is regaining lost glory

Feature by Anand Datla

May 27, 2015:

At 33, Shiv Kapur is at an interesting stage of his up and down career. After breaking forth with a golden glow at the 2002 Busan Asian Games, Kapur turned flag bearer to a nation’s golfing hopes alongside other young men such as Rahil Gangjee. News of Kapur’s qualification to the US Open for a second year running served to remind us yet again of that promise.

It has also rekindled hopes of a resurgence in the fortunes of this polished golfer, if only he could conquer the inconsistent results that have marred his career over the years.

Kapur seems intent on gaining from the lessons he has learnt on an arduous journey over the past fifteen years. Having underlined his potential with an Asian Tour victory as a rookie in 2005, Kapur will, like many others, know that he has some distance to cover to give his potential its full due.

At the Volvo Masters in Thailand, a decade ago, Shiv defeated Jyoti Randhawa in sensational style when he took the title with an astounding 20 under 268. We have yet to see a commanding performance such as that from Kapur since then.

But he did make his British Open debut the following year and even though he failed to make the cut, it was a journey that symbolised Kapur’s rise up the Asian golfing order.

The fact that his next major appearance had to wait another seven years, just about captures the frustrations that dotted the young man’s journey on the golf circuit.

Kapur did have some middling results on the Asian and European Tours, but he was battling to touch the heights of glory he may have written into his dreams.

Finally though Shiv seems to have discovered a modicum of consistency in recent times. Ever since his T23 finish at the US Open last year, Shiv has been working his way around tournaments scouring for the kind of results that do his confidence and talent some justice.

The news of his qualification again this year, on the back of a terrific effort in Surrey should give some added faith to both the golfer and his fans. Coming close on the heels of his T31 finish at the Volvo China Open should bolster Kapur’s aspiration and belief.

Shiv was able to put aside the disappointment of two missed cuts after China to post scores of 67-67 to seal one of the 11 spots on offer in Surrey. Another good finish this time around at Chambers Bay in June will mean that Shiv is truly back where he belongs.

“It’s always a matter of peaking at the right time. Though I had played at Walton Heath, today it was a one-day qualifier and I had to be at my best,” said Lahiri to Mail Today. “It was great for me to have back-to-back rounds of 67. In the second round, I didn’t drop a shot. I made 12 birdies on the day, ending with a birdie on the last hole.”

A lot of Indians will hope that Shiv and Anirban are able to give the Indian flag a big wave when they meet in Washington next month.

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