Special feature by Anand Datla
January 07, 2014: Less than three summers ago Jeev Milkha Singh and Anirban Lahiri, in many ways the past of present of Indian golf, started a painting. Even as golf continues to grow in India, the painting has remained in the realm of dreams. At The Open in 2012, India’s best and most promising golfers gave us a taste of what it might feel to experience the scent of major success. With Milkha Singh suffering from existential angst, the burden of hope now rests firmly on the capable shoulders of Lahiri.
Winning aside, Indian golfers do not feature often enough in the majors. For all his success, Milkha Singh has barely played a dozen majors in his career. And his sensational T9 at the PGA Championship in 2008 remains the best ever effort by an Indian golfer in a major tournament.
At the Open in 2012, Milkha Singh finished way down the charts after sliding to 10-over. Lahiri held on a little better to finish 3-over and T31, for his best effort at a major. Last year, Lahiri qualified again for the Open, only to miss the cut. After dueling with David Lipsky for Asian Tour honours all season long, Lahiri will need to consolidate his game and force his way into the European Tour to gain invaluable competitive experience.
In fact the lack of a consistent presence on the biggest stages of golf is a handicap that haunts Indian golf. None of our golfers have managed a steady card on either the European or PGA tours, the two big custodians of golfing excellence. Golf is a game of habit and lack of experience is a major hindrance for any Indian golfer even if they were to force their way into contention at the biggest events in golf.
Having said that, Lahiri and his ilk have shown in recent times that young Indian golfers are beginning to aspire for and work towards bigger goals and mighty dreams. Young men such as Rashid Khan, Chikkarangappa and Trishul Chinnappa are showing the zeal and energy needed to stretch the envelope for Indian golf.
As a first step though, we need our golfers to play strong enough to gain a sustained spot on the European and PGA tours to mix it up with the professionals at the top. That will help them learn the nuances of Sunday golf and inch us closer to realizing the dream of an Indian major winner.
