Scoop: Shiv Kapur to play more in US

June 16, 2014. Shiv Kapur is amidst celebrations with his dad, manager and coach in Pinehurst as this article gets written. In an exclusive chat from there he called his week at the US Open, “Amazing week. That’s what you play golf for.” As Kapur finished T23 at par with Rory McIlroy and ahead of other golf greats, his golf has come into the spotlight for grit and strategy. He was in the mix of the top twenty for a short while and was cheered around the course at Pinehurst for his patience and perseverant game.

“It is the most electric atmosphere I have ever played in. I got cheered on to every tee and green and got a standing ovation on the 18th green. That’s what you play for,” Kapur shared.

With this stellar finish and attention to India’s talent Kapur expects to be able to play more on the PGA Tour in the coming months. For the moment though he returns to European Tour to play for the next four weeks. “Should be easier to get exemptions now to play PGA Tour events. I am going to sit down next week when it all sinks in and decide what to do with my schedule.”

The Indian who was playing his maiden Major on American soil was six over par 286. With this he records the best ever finish by an Indian at the US Open. He’s just the third player born in India to play in the U.S. Open, joining Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal. Singh finished 37th in 2007. Kapur wraps this week with many special moments, new experiences and plenty of spotlights in America.

The fourth round started with a bump as Kapur was setback with two bogeys on the par fours. He made pars on 3rd, 4th and 5th before he slipped further with another bogey the par three 6th hole. Some birdie-relief only came through in the back nine and Kapur bagged those opportunities to infuse confidence back into his game. “The course conditions are really tough and one has to be imaginative with it. With pin positions promising to be tougher for the final two days, patience would be key,” Kapur had said before entering the final round.

This tournament was a dream come true for the Indian golfer who had been very close to qualifying in 2004. Ten years down he got into the tournament through the qualifying in Surrey in some tough weather conditions. “You play to get into the Majors. Feels pretty good. Solid week, nice to end with a birdie on the last as a special Father’s Day gift.”