Hero Indian Open: Chawrasia heals Delhi Golf Club wounds with memorable victory

Anand Datla
March 21, 2016:

Key Highlights:
• SSP Chawrasia earns a full European Tour card through 2018
• Chawrasia is nearly assured of his spot on the Indian team to the Rio Olympics
• The winning cheque of $276,660 will come in handy. Chawrasia likes to indulge his spouse Seemantini, who enjoys a good shopping spree
• Most importantly, victory will do a world of good to the confidence of Chawrasia, who has suffered more than his fair share of disappointments

Perseverance pays. Just ask SSP Chawrasia, who healed the scars on his embattled soul with an emphatic two shot victory at the Hero Indian Open. After missing out on victory no less than four times, most excruciatingly in the playoff with Anirban Lahiri last year, one wondered if he may have burnt his winning gene in the thick bushes that protect the Delhi Golf Club. But the 37 year old scrambled as only he can to script a memorable march around the tombs that line this historic course to etch his name into Indian golfing folklore.

As a chorus of applause greeted his second shot at the 18th, from just off the fairway to within five feet of the pin, even Lahiri could not resist bringing his palms together in appreciation of his opponent. It was hard to find one soul that did not share in the joyous smile that shone through Chawrasia’s sparkling eyes.

On an engrossing final day at the iconic club, eager spectators had to wait at the final hole, gripped by the suspense that was building up in the thick Delhi air.

With Jeunghung Wang throwing his hat in the ring at 13-under, Chawrasia was hanging on to a wafer thin lead. It appeared that a playoff might be needed to separate the men, for a second year running.

Lahiri needed to get up and down for a birdie to tie Chawrasia to pile on some more pressure, but that did not happen. Amidst a breaking out of celebrations, the golfer from Kolkata signed off with a nice birdie to move up to 15-under and take the title he so craved.

It is a remarkable victory for the self-effacing golfer, considering his 37 year journey – from being a greenskeeper’s son to a caddie to finally being among the best golfers India has ever produced.

All of that and the fact that he scrambled all week with rare brilliance will ensure that the Hero Indian Open will remain etched in the hearts of golf fans for a long time to come.