Feb 26, 2018: Shiv Kapur feels excited to be part of the 2018 Hero Indian Open, looking to make the most of his recent form. While India was busy shaking a leg on New Year’s Eve, Shiv was busy on the Asian Tour, collecting his third victory of the year. He endured some mixed results in recent weeks, but a return to Delhi next week could be the fuel he needs to send his fortunes into a higher orbit.
GI: You made a great start to the year, with a memorable win in the Royal Cup. How does it set up 2018, with you back inside the top 200?
Shiv: Obviously 2017 was a great season anytime you can win 3 times and a second place finish, as well as playing in the Open Championship – it’s a pretty cool feeling.
I’m excited about the year ahead coming in with a lot of confidence, but at the same time, cautiously optimistic to keep expectations in check.
The idea is to improve as a player in 2018 and not to compare it with 2017 and the number of wins I had.
GI: Are there areas of your game that you are working on to build on a very successful 2017?
Shiv: I’m constantly working to improve every aspect of my game just a little bit, but my short game is an area where I hope to build on the improvements of 2017 and get better at it this year.
GI: Indian golf is in such a good space. We have more men inside the top 200 than we ever have and victories for Shubhankar and you have underlined the growth of the game in India. Where do you see it go from here over the next three to five years?
Shiv: Indian golf is at a golden phase and we have the 20 somethings going really well, the 30 somethings reaching the prime of the careers and the 40 somethings like Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal still contending and keepingg us younger guys on our toes.
I think Indian golf is in great hands going forward with Shubhankar leading the charge – on a very talented young bunch that includes Khalin Joshi and Chikkarangappa – along with a few others that are winning and competing at the international stage.
GI: The field in the Indian Open is getting stronger by the year. Do you see the event as one of the best events on the European Tour, considering that the course is such a challenge for golfers?
Shiv: The Indian open for any Indian golfer is like the 5th major and winning your national title is something we all dream off. With Hero Moto Corp coming in and elevating the Indian Open onto the European tour, it has made it even more prestigious and DLF is a world-class venue that will test the best in the game.
I feel it is tough but fair, fitting for a national championship, similar to a US Open.
GI: Personally, marriage and the birth of your child seem to have stoked a new fire in you. Will you please tell us how thrilling it has been to be a husband and father and how this is reflecting in your time on the course?
Shiv: It has been the wonderful thing that has happened to me, and I have gone from Golf being my life to Golf being just a part of my life.
My passion to play and perform is as strong as ever, but the balance between my family life and golf has given me a whole new perspective on things.
My schedule has changed dramatically and I really value my time at home and away from Golf.
By Anand Datla
