Being a part of golfing Mecca the British Open, is perhaps every golfer’s dream. Indian passage into the Open has been slow yet steady in past one decade. Only seven Indians so far have had the privilege to appear in the oldest among the four Major Championships of the professional golf, which was established in 1860. Indians who have played at the British Open- Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur, Anirban Lahiri, Gaurav Ghei and Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Gaurav Ghei was the first Indian to make his way into the Open, when he played the 1997 British Open at the Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. Unfortunately, he missed the cut but certainly paved the way for fellow golfers to dream big.
Jyoti Randhawa followed as the second Indian to appear at the British Open in the year 2000 and again in 2003 and 2004. Randhawa holds the record for the best result by an Indian at the British Open (2004 – Tied 27th). He has the most appearances at the British Open(3) by an Indian.
India’s ace golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, who has made 13 Major appearances so far, the most by an Indian has appeared only twice at the Open in 2007 and 2012. He could not make cut in his debut appearance but finished 69th in his second attempt in 2012.
Arjun Atwal, who was the first Indian to play the PGA Championship, has not had his luck at the Open. He failed to make cut in his only chance in 2004 Open.
Shiv Kapur almost hogged the attention of entire world media, when he rose to the top of British Open leaderboard during round in 2013. At the end he had satisfy himself with 73rd position. He had missed cut in his first attempt in 2006.
Gaganjeet Bhullar, considered as one of the top contemporary golfers, has not been fortunate enough to make cut in his only appearance in the Major at British Open in 2009.
Golfing fraternity in India confides high hopes from Anirban Lahiri, who makes his second appearance at the Open this Thursday. Lahiri’s tied 31st finish at the 2012 British Open was the best result by an Indian in his debut Major appearance. Lahiri also became the first Indian to make a hole-in-one at a Major during round three of the 2012 British Open.
Rajlakshmi Retesh is a contributing editor for golfingindian.com
