Chawrasia looks for a good finish at Queen's Cup

S. S. P. Chawrasia looks forward to a good showing at the challenging circuit in the Queen's Cup beginning on Thursday.

S. S. P. Chawrasia..."The course is tough, it’s windy and the fairways are tricky. It’s a different type of golf course. Asian courses are normally flat but this is very hilly. It’s good fun this week."

India’s S. S. P. Chawrasia is looking forward to adding to the Hero Indian Open title with a good show at the Queen’s Cup beginning here on Thursday. He has already won the Asian and European Tours this year. The Indian who has already assured himself of a place in the Olympic Games will tee up this week at the popular USD 300,000 Asian Tour event.

Chawrasia said, “Koh Samui is a nice place to come to. I’ve come here almost every year and always enjoy it a lot. This week, I’m also here to get my full-field Asian Tour event up so that I will be eligible for the CIMB Classic in Malaysia later this year. After this week, I’ll head to Germany, France and Scotland.”

He added, “It’s a very good course, but it’s also tough and tricky. That’s why people have different views. It’s tough, it’s windy and the fairways are tricky. It’s a different type of golf course. Asian courses are normally flat but this is very hilly. It’s good fun this week.

Focus on straight hitting

When I started coming here in 2006, I think I enjoyed a top-10, finished sixth or seventh. Every year, I always play good. Last year I was fifth, always play good here. I’m just trying to hit it straight when I am here as the course is so narrow. That’s the plan this week.”

He went on, “Before my win in the Hero Indian Open, I didn’t have full status in Europe. Now I can choose which tournament to play, which is very convenient. I’ll play most of the time in Europe. I’ve learned a lot from my years in Europe and hopefully this year I will play well. I’ve learned how to manage myself when I’m over there.

“I’ve already won three co-sanctioned events in Asia, but I want to win on European soil. That’s my goal for this year. It’s not very tough. I have to work a bit on my short game, I think I can do it.”

Other Indians in the fray are Rahil Gangjee, Chiragh Kumar, who made the cut last week in Austria, one-time Asian Tour winner Himmat Rai, two-time winner on Asian Development Tour S. Chikkarangappa, Shubhankar Sharma, Khalin Joshi and Amardip Malik.

Title holder Prayad Marksaeng will be aiming to become the first man to win the Queen’s Cup three times.