New Delhi, 23-10-2018

Panasonic Open India 2018: Player Quotes - Tuesday

Here is what the Indian trio of Shiv Kapur, Viraj Madappa and Kshitij Naveed Kaul, had to say, at the Panasonic Open India 2018 press conference on Tuesday:

 

Shiv Kapur (Ind)

It was a pretty amazing win last year. I replayed the videos of my victory again and it got me some goosebumps and some fond memories came back. It was special to win on your home course, in front of your family and friends. It was a dream for me to win here.

I have seen so many of my friends win here and it’s always been one of my goals to win here. To be able to win last year was a dream come true. It was also a dream season for me, to have won three times last year.

I remember putting my two-year-old daughter in the Panasonic Open India trophy last year and that photo has been my profile picture on WhatsApp since. The season hasn’t been as good as I like it to be, to be honest.

You kind of need to keep your expectations in check, like what I have said at the end of last year. You come off a great season where you have won three times and it’s never easy to back that up with more wins. I think I didn’t plan my schedule well enough. I didn’t have much time to rest in between the two seasons. It was a bit of a burnt out then.

Overall, I feel like my game is picking up again. I am excited to finish my season well, starting from this week. I am in a decent position on the Merit rankings so a good push for a win will help me end the season strong.

It’s nice to see my face on all the branded boards out there. It’s a special feeling. Yes, there is pressure as a defending champion but I think it’s a positive and good pressure knowing that you have won on this course before. If I can put myself in position to win again come Sunday, I can definitely bank on my past memories to help me achieve the feat.

In the past, I have always had the mindset to play defensive or to play smart whenever I play on my home course at the Delhi Golf Club. But last year, I told myself to just play naturally like how it would be when I play with my friends and that kind of worked for me. I putted well last year and I think that was the key as well.

The fairways are the best that I have ever seen. The rough is fantastic. It’s going to be a great test from tee to green.

 

Viraj Madappa (Ind)

It’s definitely nice to know that I have the potential to win on the Asian Tour. I wasn’t feeling confident when I turned professional at the beginning of the season. After winning my first title in August, I feel more confident to play against the top guys out there.

I am playing well now so I hope to finish the season off strong and look forward to this week. I felt like I spent a lot of time with Shiv Kapur this season. He’s been very friendly so I don’t think I am very intimidated by him anymore. I used to be! (laughs)

He has helped me out when we played a few practice rounds together. I think I’m quite comfortable playing on Tour now. I feel like my game’s good now and I might be the man to be this week!

 

Kshitij Naveed Kaul (Ind)

I am very excited to play my first event as a professional on my home course this week. It’s very nice and I feel good because I am playing well now. I have played a few times with Shiv Kapur and it’s nice.

The Delhi Golf Club is my home club so I hope I can take advantage of my course knowledge this week. I hope to do the same like what I have been doing before although I am playing in my first event as a professional this week.

I would like to thank Panasonic, PGTI and the Asian Tour for giving me this opportunity to play in my first event as a professional and on my home course this week. I am looking forward to the week and hopefully I can put up a good showing.