Crans Montana, Switzerland, 02-09-2014
DEBUTANT KHAN HOPEFUL OF DREAM START AT EUROPEAN MASTERS
Ten Indians in the fray in Switzerland
India’s Rashid Khan is living out his dream as he makes his debut at the European Masters which tees off on Thursday.
The lanky Indian earned his right to be part of the strong field at this week’s Swiss showpiece after he won the SAIL-SBI Open on home soil in March.
With the prospect of taking on the European Tour players in this week’s co-sanctioned event, the 23-year-old is indeed relishing the moment.
“I’m really excited as this is my first time in Switzerland and playing the European Masters. My life has really changed since I won the SAIL-SBI Open which I didn’t expect to win. Now I find myself playing in a co-sanctioned event with the European Tour,” said the jubilant Indian.
Khan is feeling at the top of the world as he stands proud among the game’s elite at the scenic Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club which is set amidst the picturesque Swiss Alps.
Having withstood several setbacks in his career, it will be his hunger and appetite for success that could eventually see the Indian create an impact this week.
“My career has not been smooth sailing but I was always determined to bounce back and do my best in my next tournament,” said Khan.
Khan swallowed the bitter pill on numerous occasions most notably when he missed out on a top-40 finish by two shots at the Asian Tour Qualifying School last year and was again left to rue further blows in his career when he was pipped to the title on several occasions last season.
Khan finally prevailed when he won this year and now hopes that breakthrough on the region’s premier Tour will be a barometer of more success.
“It’s a really exciting period for me and I’m going to play another four more tournaments after this week. I want to finish inside the top-five on the Order of Merit and that’s my goal for this season,” said Khan.
The European Masters is the only event to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour on European soil since 2009 and marks the start of the second half of the 2014 Asian Tour season.
The event will feature a total of 10 Indian professionals. Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, SSP Chowrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Singh Rai, Digvijay Singh, Rahil Gangjee and Chiragh Kumar are the nine other Indians in the field besides Rashid Khan.
Charismatic Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, the European Tour’s oldest winner and holder of 21 titles including a win in Switzerland in 2010, will be one of the top names in the field alongside Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, Italian Matteo Manassero and French star Victor Dubuisson.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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