Mumbai, July 16: At 21 years, Gaganjeet Bhullar is far more mature than most of the youngsters of his age. Today is the biggest day of his life but he is trying not to be overwhelmed by the
occasion.
Bhullar will be the youngest Indian to play a Major when he tees off at the hostile Ailsa golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, at 12.57pm GMT (18.27 IST). “Deep down, I am nervous. But I can’t let that feeling take over me as it will be disastrous,” Bhullar told DNA. “I have been practicing at this course for the last one week, making myself familiar with the conditions.”
It will be the first time Bhullar will play along side the likes of Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington. While he feels it will be special to play along side them, Bhullar insists all that won’t matter when he hits the greens on Thursday. “This game is a great leveller.
For an amateur, it would have been a big deal to play along side Tiger. But I am a professional now. I can’t be nervous just because Tiger is standing next to me,” said Bhullar, who is the brightest prospect to have emerged from the Asian tour and will debut at the world’s oldest major. “I have worked hard to be where I am. I am confident of my game.”
He is still trying to get accustomed to the weather at Turnberry, which he says is extremely fickle. “One moment it rains heavily and the next it’s bright and sunny. It’s funny because we are not used to such inconsistency but I am slowly getting used to it,” said Bhullar.
The Ailsa course can be very difficult to overcome when it is windy. It has been forecasted to be so this weekend and Bhullar is apprehensive. “Under normal circumstances it is alright but if the wind factor comes into play then it can make life very difficult,” he said.
With Jeev Milkha Singh pulling out on Tuesday due to a pulled muscle, Bhullar will be the lone Indian in the fray. He is disappointed that Jeev has pulled out but the India No.1 did give Bhullar some handy tips. “He told me to keep the ball below the wind.
That’s very important when you play in Europe because it’s just so windy. You have to keep the ball low. Jeev has been here before so knows the conditions better,” Bhullar said. He hopes for a good opening round, which will set him up for the rest of the weekend.
“The best part is that I am hitting the ball pretty well. That’s a big confidence booster. A good first round will do a world of good to me. But at the Masters, it’s not just about making the cut. It’s much more than that,” he said.
-Agencies