Panasonic Open starts tomorrow

Edited by Anand Datla

November 5, 2014: The Panasonic Open India 2014 starts tomorrow and here is what some of the players were saying about the event as they look ahead to a good run at the US$300,000 event.

Chikkarangappa:  The victory on the Asian Development Tour last week, my first at the international level, has really boosted my confidence. It came at a difficult and emotional time for me as I was not being able to focus on my game after losing my grandfather the week before. I focused really hard to win last week. It was also great to finally win a professional event at my home course. The win last week has helped me get back in a positive frame of mind and put behind the disappointments of the last three months when I was right up there but not winning.

I always enjoy playing at the Delhi Golf Club and am delighted to be back here. I shot a good round of bogey-free 67 at DGC few weeks back and had a top-10 finish. I’d like to carry that form forward when I go out on the course in round one. The good news is that I’ve almost recovered fully from the wrist injury I suffered last week at Eagleton and am in good physical condition.

It’s been a terrific year for me so far with three wins. I’m a contender on the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings and the Super Series. Another good week here would be great.

SSP Chowrasia:  The DGC is definitely one of my favourite courses. I have some great memories of this course as it brings the best out of me.  I feel the scoring could be quite low this week with the fairways being softer and the ball not rolling into the jungle easily. I predict a winning score of 18 to 20 under.

One can only use the driver here if you’re hitting it really straight. I left my driver in Kolkata this week. I’ll be using the 3-wood off the tee on most occasions.  I’m confident of a good show here this week. The rigours of playing on the European Tour have helped me become a more confident player in Asia. It feels like a win is not far away now.

After the Panasonic Open, next on my agenda will be the European Tour Q-School which is the following week. Qualifying for the Olympics is also on my mind and I feel the 2015 season will be crucial for me in that regard.

Md Siddikur Rahman:  I’m very happy to return to one of my favourite golf courses. Last year during the same week, I won the Indian Open here, so I have great memories here and I’m looking forward to it.

I’m on my return from a back injury I suffered in June. I felt pain in my lower back in June after exercising in the gym but the pain became unbearable in the cold conditions in Switzerland in September which forced me to retire from the European Masters tournament.  Upon my return to Bangladesh, I was hospitalized for 15 days but have now recovered significantly by doing yoga and physiotherapy regularly.

I’m feeling better but I’m not expecting anything this week. I just want to play my own game. I’m still concerned about my back. I’m feeling better day by day because of yoga. I have to really strengthen my back or I might get injured.

Rahil Gangjee:  A lot of players find this golf course tight but I’ve been playing here since I was 13 or 14 years old. Maybe earlier than that. This course is not daunting for me anymore.

I’ve had a few close encounters. It has got to do with the game not being up to the mark. I’m always thinking positive so it comes down to the game or the course might not suit you. However this course suits my game so it will be a good week.

The driver is always in my bag. I hit about six or seven drivers on this golf course. Guys like Rashid Khan, Chiragh Kumar – they find it really easy on this course. For someone coming here for a first or second time, the course is really tough because you don’t get a golf course like this anywhere in the world.