Abhijit Chadha
GREATER
NOIDA, March 14, 2013: Wearing his favourite Augusta Masters T-shirt, Abhijit
Chadha underlined his potential with a flawless six-under 66 a day after being
honoured as the ‘Emerging Player of the Indian PGTI Tour for 2012’. The
big-hitting 21-year-old Chadha is tied second place behind the rampaging Thai
Chinnarat Phadungsil, who shot a sensational 11-under 61 on the first day of
the Avantha Masters.
Chadha
was tied second in the company of former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner,
Liang Wenchong, two other Thais, Chapchai Nirat, who holds the world of
32-under recorded in 2009 SAIL open, and Chawalit Plaphol, winner of the
opening event on 2013 Asian Tour, and Swede Magnus Carlsson.
Among
the other prominent Indians, Chadha’s 2010 Asian Games teammate, Rashid Khan
shot 67, while former champion SSP Chowrasia, Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar
and Ashok Kumar carded 68 each, while Rahil Gangjee and Jeev Milkha Singh
brought in 69 apiece.
Chadha,
son a Chandigarh-based businessman, is coached by Jesse Grewal, who also trains
many other leading pros including Himmat Rai.
Chadha
said, “The putter was hot today. I holed almost everything. I made a 40-footer
for birdie on the 16th and converted two 25-feet birdie putts on the sixth and
ninth. I hit it given from the edge to set up a birdie on the 15th. I also had
a fantastic par save on the par-3 17th with a good up and down.”
Speaking
of the Augusta Masters shirt he wore, Chadha smiled and added, “That’s the one
(Masters) I want to win. It is my big dream and it is my favourite shirt.”
For
the present, he was happy with six birdies and the way he played. He added, “I
hit it long so this course suits my game. My average driving distance is 300
yards and with my new driver I’ve been smoking it and hitting it even further.
The conditions were quite tough in the morning with the swirling wind so I’m
all the more pleased with my six-under.”
Chadha,
said, “I don’t feel the pressure of playing the Avantha Masters for the first
time. The experience of playing many big international events during my amateur
days has really helped me. As an amateur I played a lot of events overseas as
part of the Indian team.”
But
he did add, “It’s the first time I’m playing in an event sanctioned with the European
Tour. I’ve got no experience at all. I’ve played a couple of events on the
Asian Tour. Playing with the big players really gives you lots of confidence.”
Chadha
played in a local event recently besides the two rounds he played during the
trials for the selection of the 2010 Asian Games team. “We just had a
tournament (LP Cup) last month. I played six rounds then and that obviously
helps. Also I played the Asian Games trials here in 2010.”
The
key for Chadha now is to hang in and not let the pressure get to him.
Press release
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