KHALIN JOSHI: INTERVIEW
THIS IS WHAT KHALIN JOSHI HAD TO SAY AFTER WINNING HIS FIRST
INTERNATIONAL TITLE AT THE PANASONIC OPEN INDIA 2018
I
have no words honestly. It’s a huge monkey off my
back.I think I played really well, kept my nerves
and played really solid coming in. The last four
holes were extremely important for me. All night I
was thinking about the 16th hole tee shot because
that tee shot has haunted me for a while now.
You know I am really relieved and really happy. I don’t
know if it was nerves but just poor decision-making I
guess, starting off with two bogeys. But I still knew that
there was a lot of golf to be played. I was playing well and
it was just a matter of time. You know the birdie I made
on 8th gave me a lot of con¿ dence that I am not very far
away and I got to keep sticking to my game plan and I got
to keep playing aggressive. Then again I hit the driver on
18th and played very aggressive and that’s what paid off.
This year I played very different from the previous
years. I have seen many of the past champions going for
it in 2 on the par 5’s but I have been hitting 3 irons in
the past. You know it was just believing in myself and
playing aggressive golf. That was key for me this week.
On the 18th, I just knew I had the advantage over Siddikur
because he didn’t have a driver. So I just knew that I had
to keep it in play.
This win means the world to me. Winning anyway was
great but winning at Delhi Golf Club was unbelievable.
All the spectators and crowd over here were very
supportive. I have a bunch of friends over here, hopefully
I gave them a good show.
For me the world ranking points and jumping up in the
Asian Tour Order of Merit was key. Going
forward and playing as good as I am playing,
I have four big weeks coming up after this. I
am going to go back work on my game and
come back fresh for Hong Kong.
It gives me a sense of satisfaction for
sure. I have been close a few times even
as a bunch of my friends have won. I told
my friend and fellow professional Rahil
(Gangjee) at the start of the week when I was
leaving Bangalore, that I hope I can be the
Panasonic Open India champion. Now here
I am standing with the trophy. I’m just very
happy with the way I played all week.
The champion chips on the final hole
GolfPlus
NOVEMBER
2018
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