Rashid Khan has not looked back since he picked up the 2013 Best Upcoming Pro recognition at the INDIA GOLF AWARDS. It was a special moment, a universal choice and some promise towards a seriously superb talent. What was to follow were wins at BILT, SAIL-SBI Open. Khan’s brilliant golf has been on display and his future looks just as promising. Here is a Special Report by Asian Tour.
June 29: Rashid Khan’s victory at the SAIL-SBI Open in March will be remembered as one of the success stories this year.
The talented India swallowed the bitter pill on numerous occasions on the Asian Tour but he has always bounced back on his feet, ready to take on another challenge in his young career.
He missed out on a top-40 finish by two shots at the Asian Tour Qualifying School last year and was left to rue another cruel blow after losing in a play-off at the 2013 SAIL-SBI Open presented by Incredible India.
But when all seemed lost, Khan continued his pursuit of excellence and never gave up.
Faced with another play-off at the same event again, he calmly birdied the first play-off hole to defeat Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh to atone for his heart breaking defeat last year. The ecstasy and joy etched on his face summed up what the victory meant to him.
“I don’t like play-offs. I played some seven play-offs in the last 14 months and I won only three. I lost my last play-off at the Bilt. It’s a lottery,” said the 23-year-old Khan.
[Watch Video- Rashid Eyes more wins]
“You know it feels awesome. It’s my home course and winning here is always special. I really want to thank DGC who gave me the facilities to practice here. It’s amazing. I lost this event here last year. It was important and the way I started with the first day (61), it was amazing,” said Khan.
The victory was worth US$54,000 and it also propelled Khan into the winner’s exemption category which allows him to play in all Asian Tour events until the end of 2015.
“It means a lot to get the exemption. You can’t imagine how important this was. Even last year, I didn’t have a country exemption and didn’t have an Asian Tour card. Losing in a play off last year was really heartbreaking. I had to make my card in five tournaments and I played really good golf last year.
“I finished number one on the Indian Tour and earned my card on the Asian Tour. I was really confident of doing well this year. I was hoping to win a tournament this year on the Asian Tour and to happen in the first tournament on my home course is incredible,” said a jubilant Khan.
The door to further success has now been swung wide for Khan. And it will be on the region’s premier Tour that ‘King Khan’ will hope to bask in the limelight for a long time.
