Master in the making: Rashid Khan

His lean frame might give him a choice for anonymity but his antics at the golf course has caught golf fraternity’s complete attention. Rajlakshmi Retesh gives a detailed perspective on the young golfer.

Rashid Khan’s third place finish at the US$1.25 Million Hero Indian Open just after winning BILT Open has placed him among the most promising youngsters of the country.

A Delhi Golf Course bred golfer, who began his golfing journey at the age of nine with clubs borrowed from his uncle Mohd. Maqbool Khan, a former professional golfer. He then enrolled at the Junior Golf Development program at DGC in 1999. He lived golf day and night ever since.

“I am still indebted to Mr IVS Juneja, the current President of the Delhi Golf Club, who gifted me an Accu Form junior golf set,” the 22-year-old reveals.

He won the All India Junior Golf Championship title in ‘A’ Category at KGA, Bangalore in December 2006.

Rashid claimed the Faldo Series Asia trophy in sensational style at Mission Hills in December 2007, shooting a final-day 66 that included a back-nine of 31 in front of legendary golfer Nick Faldo.

“I remember fondly the six-time Major winner’s reaction when I eagled the par-four 15th. When I birdied the next hole, Nick told my coach I was a machine.”

“That win at Mission Hills was a highly significant moment in my young career. It was a great feeling, especially as it was my first overseas win. The reaction in India was great… suddenly everyone knew who Rashid Khan was and I won my next junior tournament in Mumbai.”

He went on to play in the international Faldo Series Grand Final in Brazil in 2008 on Nick Faldo’ s invitation.

Rashid continued his consistency in 2008 season as well where he won four times on the junior circuit and conquered the LG Northern India Amateur title. He was invited to play 2008 Volvo Masters of Asia.

He won the National Amateur Tour in 2009. He went on to win Singapore Amateur title in October and lined up alongside some of Asia’s top professionals in the Cambodian Open at Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap in November.

The Goodricke Eastern India Amateur Golf Championship title at RCGC in December marked his first win in a match play event, and tenth overall on the IGU National Amateur Tour, when he decided to turn pro.

Rashid’s pro career took off after he clinched his maiden title -The Surya Nepal Masters in 2011. He finished second in quite a few tournaments – DLF Masters 2011, CG Open 2012, BILT Open 2012, PGTI Players Championship 2012, Standard Chartered Open 2012 and came close to winning the SAIL-SBI Open in March 2013 losing in a play-off to Anirban Lahiri.

Out of golf course, Rashid loves to spend his leisure time in dancing an watching movies. He is great Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif’s admirer. One movie that he can watch again and again is Aamir’s blockbuster 3 Idiots.

Some day he would love to play along Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Kapil Kumar.