GolfPlus - Nov 19 Digital Edition (Nov 19) | Page 23

Feature
handigarhÊs
Ajeetesh
Sandhu
pipped DelhiÊs Rashid Khan in a
photo-finish amid high drama much
to the delight of the home crowd
on the final day of the Jeev Milkha
Singh Invitational 2019 Presented
by TAKE Solutions, a Rs. 1.5 crore
event played at the Chandigarh
Golf Club.
Ajeetesh, playing at his home
course, made a spectacular
comeback in regulation play before coming through in
a marathon playoff that lasted four extra holes. It was a
classical contest for the ages that saw Sandhu collect the
winning cheque worth Rs.
24,24,750 that catapulted
him from 48th to second
position in the TATA Steel
PGTI Order of Merit. Rashid
extended his lead to over
Rs. 34 lakhs in the PGTIÊs
money list despite his heart-
breaking loss. KhanÊs PGTI
earnings for 2019 now
stand at a whopping
Rs. 61,21,653. Unknowingly,
Ajeetesh Started playing
golf when he was 4 years
old. GolfPlus speaks with
the amazing golfer about
his memorable journey so
far.
It was a classical contest for the ages that saw
Sandhu collect the winning cheque worth Rs.
24,24,750 that catapulted him from 48th to second
position in the TATA Steel PGTI Order of Merit.
Rashid extended his lead to over Rs. 34 lakhs in
the PGTI’s money list despite his heart-breaking
loss. Khan’s PGTI earnings for 2019 now stand at a
whopping Rs. 61,21,653.
A success after a long time on your
home soil. How does it feel?
AS: Very Surreal. Not many athletes get to win
in front of their home crowd and support, so
i consider myself very lucky to have done that.
Tell us about your victory and the final
playoff?
AS: Winning in a playoff is always tough
and definitely very intense, especially when
itÊs for 4 holes. The mentality completely
changes from normal stroke play and it almost
becomes like a boxing match. Very glad to
have pulled through.
You have grown watching Jeev Milkha
Singh up close enough at CGC & now
winning a tournament named after him.
Your comments?
AS: CouldnÊt have asked for anything more.
HeÊs been my mentor and IÊve looked
onto him since i was a kid. So, winning a
tournament that he was hosting at my home
club is definitely a dream come true.
Tell us about your inspiration behind
this passion for the game?
AS: My father and Jeev has been an
Inspiration since the very start. I started this
game because of my father in our backyard at
home and since then I didnÊt have to look very
Tommy Fleetwood
far from home as Jeev was the flag bearer for
Indian golf and it was amazing to see him win
globally from such a close distance.
Your special memories at Chandigarh
Golf Course.
AS: My first and possibly most special
memory would be of going to the course as
a 7 or 8-year-old kid early in the morning for
Jesse SirÊs coaching camp every weekend. We
used to stay at the course till the evening and
never felt tired of doing it. Jesse Grewal is still
my coach along with Gurbaaz Mann.
What do you feel is a challenge for the
Indian players?
AS: I think playing in adverse conditions -
wind, rain and cold is tougher for us because
we have never experienced that growing up
so it takes a bit of getting used to.
What would be your advice to the
upcoming players?
AS: Hard work and patience. There is very
little chance of succeeding in golf or life if
you donÊt practice both these virtues.
Indian Golf is growing and doing great
internationally. What is your take on
that?
AS: ItÊs phenomenal to see but I am not
surprised. We have a very strong domestic
tour - PGTI and itÊs a great tour to get ready
for making the step up to the international
level. I have a feeling we will have a Major
soon enough.
SHORT TAKES
Golf Set - Ping
Ball - Titleist ProV1
Shoes - Footjoy
Favourite Indian Course - I have 3. RCGC,
DLF and of course Chandigarh Golf club
Favourite International Course - St Andrews
Dream Fourball - Greg Norman, Tiger
Woods and Jeev Milkha Singh
Book - The Silent Patient
GolfPlus
NOVEMBER
2019
27