June 15: 2017: As reported Anirban Lahiri went on a ten day Vipassana meditation camp last week. There are no Indian golfers in the 117th US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. But there are three men that will arouse interest in India, keeping Indian golf fans awake through the wee hours. Daniel Chopra, the Swedish golfer with an umbilical connection to India will look to make he most of his late qualification into the second major of the season. Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala also have parents of Indian origin, who migrated and embraced British and American heritage respectively.
Chopra loves his Indian roots, returning each year to visit his family and play the Hero Indian Open. He lived with his grandfather as a child and learnt most of his early golf at the Delhi Golf Club. His ability to speak Hindi and mingle with the men that tend the course, ensures Daniel a warm welcome every time he returns to Delhi.
The 43 year old Swede made his way into the US Open through a brilliant performance in the Canoe Brook Country Club sectional qualifier this June.
Aaron Rai is rising up the charts like a man in a rabid rush. He broke his way into the US Open with a stunning 64 on the Old Course of Walton Heath, where he won over a 130 strong field. That field included men of pedigree, such as Padraig Harrington and Nicolas Colsaerts.
Aaron’s parents are of Indian heritage, migrating to Kenya before eventually settling in Great Britain.
“It’s a dream come true to play in any Major, and with it being the US Open it makes it extra special,” said Rai.
“It’s hard to put it into words at the moment because it hasn’t really sunk in. It will be a dream come true.”
Evidence that Aaron belongs at the highest level has been piling up. He has won two of the five challenger tour events this season, but the biggest suggestion of his potential came in the Johannesburg Open.
In what was just his second European Tour event, Aaron played spectacularly well to end the week in seventh place, just three off the winner Darren Fichardt.
Sahith is a promising collegiate golfer from the USA. He gained prominence with a stellar effort in the Genesis Open on the PGA TOUR. Not only did Sahith make the cut at Riviera, but he kept his poise to end the week in a tie for 49th place. The 19 year old amateur from California was also enriched by playing with Phil Mickelson and J B Holmes.
We will look out for these three golfers as we bring you all the action from the 117th US Open this week at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.
By Anand Datla
