GolfPlus- Dec19 Digital Edition (Dec 19) | Page 48

Feature
FROM MY DIARY…
DECEMBER 2019
By Brandon de Souza
e have come to end of the
gol¿ ng season in Europe
and about to do so in Asia
this month. This season,
like most other seasons, produced quite a few
moments to treasure and raised a few points
to wonder upon.
The top players made their mark with
Mr. Consistent Rory McIlroy, the Majors
man Brooks Koepka, Gary Woodland ¿ nally
coming of age with a major win and Shane
Lowry riding the Irish wave to triumph at
Royal Portrush.
But that man in his Sunday red brought
about unprecedented scenes at Augusta and
the sense of wonderment and history winning
his 82nd PGA Tour event at the start and fag
end of the season. We know Tiger will not get
top 10s every week but him doing well always
A look at the ladies
game will highlight
the brilliant Ko Jin-
young who won two
majors and finished
third in the British
Open. But Suzann
Pettersen, the feisty
Norwegian, produced
the moment of the year
at the Solheim Cup
on a glorious day at
Gleneagles.
brings the smiles and interest back in the game.
Jon Rahm battled nerves at the Race to Dubai
championship and managed an emotional
win over the imperious Tommy Fleetwood. I
wouldn’t bet against Tommy winning a major
or two in 2020 as I strongly believe his time
has come. The game needs him, the gangly
lad who I ¿ rst saw in Ahmedabad eight years
52 G o l f P l u s
DECEMBER
back on the Challenge Tour, to get into the
major winner’s circle.
A look at the ladies game will highlight
the brilliant Ko Jin-young who won two
majors and ¿ nished third in the British Open.
But Suzann Pettersen, the feisty Norwegian,
produced the moment of the year at the
Solheim Cup on a glorious day at Gleneagles.
She managed to block out the noise to roll
in the winning putt and in the knowledge
nothing else could compare, she rode off into
the sunset at 38.
As we go into the ¿ nal three events on
the Asian Tour schedule for 2019, it seems
like we will ¿ nish the season without an
Indian win on the international tours. The
momentum has built up with Shiv, Chikka
and Aman Raj grabbing second placed
¿ nishes over the past month and hope one of
them along with Rashid carry it forward and
À y the tri-color high this month.
Tata Steel’s umbrella sponsorship of the
Professional Golf Tour of India should bring
about a much needed boost to the game. The
Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational presented
by Take Solutions was a wonderful event
that I had the chance to be at thanks to my
good friends Jeev and Kudrat, who hosted
2019
us for lunch with the family. Was also great
to see the bump in the prize money at the
IndianOil Servo Masters to 60lacs. We must
acknowledge and appreciate Tata Steel, Take
& IndianOil for being fantastic supporters of
the game in India.
Finally, December is the month to look
forward to the President’s Cup. While last
year we were hoping of doubling the Indian
representation in the International team, it is
going to be a cracker nonetheless. Good to
see a strong US team led by playing captain
Tiger himself. The fact that he picked himself
as a captain’s pick shows the state of mind
he is in. Ernie Els’ Internationals are also
roaring to square up at the magni¿ cent Royal
Melbourne Golf Club with only Jason Day
pulling out which could be blow considering
he is a local. It will be a week of fanfare
and glory as the off ¿ eld activities will be
highlighted by Melbourne’s Michelin-starred
restaurateur Curtis Stone bringing his LA
eatery, Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant –
meat lover’s paradise, to the Presidents Cup
in an Australian ¿ rst for the world-famous
chef.
Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and
a Happy New Year!