Vincent leads Asian Tour Olympians
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent and fellow Asian Tour players Anirban Lahiri from India and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond all have an outside chance of finishing in the medals after another gripping day at the Olympic men’s golf competition today.
Vincent impressed in round three shooting one of the lowest scores of the day, a five-under-par 66, to move to seven under for tournament ‒ which is seven strokes behind American Xander Schauffele, who leads on 14 under after carding a 68.
Lahiri, one of the few players in the field to have competed in Rio five years ago, also fared well returning a 68 to lie a further shot back along with Jazz, who signed for a 72.
Jazz plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
All three will have to shoot low on Sunday at Kasumigaseki Country Club to challenge for honours.
Jazz did just that on day one when he came in with a 64, to sit second, but frustrating rounds of 71 and 72 have followed. He was paired with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry today, who both excelled, firing 67 and 68, to finish three and four shots behind the leader, respectively.
Vincent, one of the most consistent performers on the Asian Tour over the past five years, was also a picture of consistency today, making five birdies and no bogeys.
And, Lahiri, determined to improve on his 57th placing in the previous Olympics, bravely fought his way back after a bogey at the first to birdie eight, eagle nine and birdie 14.
A total of seven Asian Tour players are competing in the star-studded 60 man field.
Matsuyama talks with Schauffele on the 12th hole in round thee (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Second-round leader Schauffele made a brilliant birdie on the last to edge one ahead of Japan’s great hope for gold, Hideki Maruyama, who returned a 67.
England’s Paul Casey (66) and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico (69) are tied for third, a further stroke behind.
The last round sets up a fascinating battle between Schauffele and Matsuyama, who were also paired together in the final round of the Masters this year when the Japanese star triumphed.
“Yeah, it’s good,” said Schauffele.
“Hideki’s a great player, he’s our current Masters champion. I plan on wearing that jacket someday as well, and whenever you play against the world’s best you happen to see them a lot. So, we’re playing together tomorrow in the final group, and I assume we’ll be playing in more final groups for years to come.”
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond maintained his pursuit of an Olympic medal today at Tokyo 2020 when he carded an even-par 71 in the men’s golf competition, to sit at seven under par for the tournament ‒ just four shots behind second-round clubhouse leader Xander Schauffele from the United States.
Jazz, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2019 thanks to four victories, was unable to repeat the heroics of his opening day 64 but was content with his performance during another weather effected day at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes you have a bad day. I would say today is kind of in the middle. I didn’t play as good, I didn’t hit it as good,” said the 25-year-old.
He made one birdie and one bogey but was unlucky not to make a four on the par-five 14th, when his brilliant approach hit the pin and ricochet 60 feet away.
Jazz Janewattananond of Team Thailand plays a second shot on the second hole during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
His back nine was interrupted by an hour and a half weather delay but he was grateful to complete his round before another delay stopped play permanently for the day. Sixteen players will restart at 7.45am local time on Saturday.
“[I] just didn’t give myself enough chances. Struggling with lines, struggling with the spin, couldn’t control it. But I’m actually not too upset with my score because I knew I was struggling. I was just trying to get it around without doing too much damage.”
The Thai star is in privileged company as he is tied in seventh place with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
Jazz added: “I think I have put myself in a pretty good position, like if someone were to ask me, okay, you’re two strokes back or three strokes back even going into the last two days would you take it right now before the tournament start and I would say I would. So, I mean you can say I played bad today, didn’t play as good as yesterday, but still I’m only two, three back. So, I’m actually pretty happy with myself.”
India’s Anirban Lahiri watches his drive from the 14th tee in round two of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Schauffele took charge of the tournament with a stunning 63, which was highlighted by two eagles, to reach 11 under and lead by one from Mexican Carlos Ortiz, in with a 67.
Chilean Mito Pereira (65), Alex Noren from Sweden (67) and Austria’s Sepp Straka (71) are three behind the leader.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, this year’s Masters champion, is eight under with two to play.
Seven-time Asian Tour winner Anirban Lahiri from India will also complete his second round tomorrow as he has two holes remaining. He is still in the hunt for honours but will need to rebound from today’s round which saw him play 16 holes in one over.
Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is also far from out of it at three under but like Lahiri will need to improve on his second round 73.
Tied with him is Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, the current leader of the Japan Tour money list, who played his way back into contention with a 68.
Hoshino, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three seasons, had the honour of teeing off first in Thursday’s opening round.
Asian Tour regular Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe also shone on day two shooting a 67 to finish two under for event.
Scott Vincent of Team Zimbabwe plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, thrilled his army of followers in the region today when he shot a seven-under-par 64 to finish in sole possession of second place after the first round of the Olympic Games men’s golf competition.
A fine birdie on the long par-four 18th ‒ where he struck his approach to three feet ‒ saw him sign for a sublime and unblemished opening round, composed of seven birdies and no dropped shots, to finish one stroke behind Austrian Sepp Straka, whose 63 was a course and Olympic record.
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico tied for third after shooting 65s, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
In equal fifth is Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, who carded a 66.
Pagunsan walks with his caddie in round one of the men’s golf competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 29, 2021. (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO / AFP) (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO/AFP via Getty Images)
And, Indian star Anirban Lahiri made it three Asian Tour Order of Merit champions in the top-10 when he returned a 67, to tie for eighth.
Jazz, who claimed four Asian Tour titles when he won the 2019 Order of Merit, raced up the leader board with a four-under-par 31 back nine, with his other birdies coming on 10, 11, and 13. He also had four birdies in a row as he made birdies on eight and nine.
Impressively, Jazz ‒ who is one of 10 Asian Tour players competing in the elite 60-man field ‒ moved into contention despite having to finish his last three holes after two-hour and 19-minute weather delay.
“It’s early in the tournament,” Jazz said. “You can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can get yourself in a good position for sure. So, I think I did that, I put myself in a good position and I just tried to hang on and try to keep going on.”
When asked what it is like to play in his first Olympics, he added: “Playing golf with a different mindset. You’re not playing for yourself, you’re playing for the country, you’re playing for the medals, you’re just going for it, you’re just playing with all your heart, it’s different.”
Having won his first title in Japan at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in May, Pagunsan today showed he is playing some of the finest golf of his career at the age of 43.
He fired six birdies and just one bogey, proudly flying the flag as the only Filipino in the field, with compatriot and former Tour player Artemio Murakami on the bag.
Lahiri plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 29, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lahiri won the Order of Merit in 2015 and is determined this week to improve on his 57th placing in Rio.
“It was good. I think I started off a little dodgy first few holes, couldn’t get my rhythm going early. But then I settled down nicely,” said the Indian.
“I think I played pretty good. I probably feel like I could have taken some more chances, some opportunities on the back nine I didn’t make as many birdies as I could have. But I’m playing well, so I have to build on this and as you can see already there’s a lot of opportunities if it keeps playing like this, soft, there’s not much rain today, then you have to go out there and just really be aggressive and make a lot of putts.”
Pre-tournament favourites Collin Morikawa from the United States ‒ winner of The Open two weeks ago ‒ Masters’ champion Hideki Matsuyama from Japan, and Ireland’s Rory McIlory all carded 69s.
Anirban Lahiri and Udayan Mane are not just fighting for an Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 medal in the men’s golf competition this week – they are desperate to put golf firmly on the map in their native India.
The Indian duo will carry their nation’s challenge at Kasumigaseki Country Club beginning on Thursday, knowing full well an unprecedented medal in golf would do wonders in growing the sport and enticing greater support in their cricket-mad homeland.
“It will mean that the face of golf will change permanently,” said Mane, who is making his Olympics debut.
“Right now, there is a select amount of people who know what golf is in our country. If we can win a medal, people will know what golf is, all the 1.2 billion people in India. There’ll definitely be more kids taking up golf as there are these new opportunities staring at them. It will change how everyone looks at golf in India. Cricket will always be No. 1 but we’ll at least be able to shorten the gap.”
Lahiri – winner of the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit – is on a quest for redemption in Tokyo after finishing 57th out of 60 golfers in Rio 2016. Back then, he was playing with an injury but the PGA TOUR regular enters the week in good form following a top-three finish at the Barbasol Open for his best finish of the season.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“It’ll be huge,” said Lahiri on the prospect of what a medal in golf would do for India.
“As you can imagine, it’s a big deal. The Olympics is a big deal. We had our first silver (women’s weightlifting) on the first day of the Games, which was the first time it’s happened. I’m beginning to see the ripples beginning to take effect at home and I can feel how it will boost that sport positively and I would love for it to happen in golf. This is a great opportunity to have a first with golf … for us to change the perception and attitude.
“I definitely have a lot more intent, more focus, more believe and definitely more confidence. To compare last time and this time, it’s totally different. I came with an injury and was coming off the back of some WDs going into Rio. Feels like I’m moving in the right direction with my golf and with my body. I think it’s good timing for me.”
Mane, a 30-year-old with 11 victories on his domestic circuit, grew up competing in swimming and basketball before being bitten by the golf bug which saw him pursuing the sport as a career. Getting on the flight to Tokyo was a dream come true after he qualified as the 60th player when entries closed last month.
“It feels surreal, it feels fulfilling and I feel proud. I am still in shock really and there’s a cocktail of feelings in my body that I can’t express through words fully yet. By the time the first round arrives, I would know what I’m feeling,” he beamed.
Staying with the Indian contingent at the Games Village has provided Mane with an experience of a lifetime and opened his eyes as well seeing how other Olympians prepare themselves for competition.
“I’ve definitely realised one thing … I’ve got to work much harder on my fitness seeing all the athletes over there. The atmosphere is really intense, and everyone is out there to win something for their country and make their country proud. The intensity at the village where everyone is trying to peak at the right moment is pretty cool to watch,” he said.
Indian stars @anirbangolf and @TheUdayanMane hope to elevate the status of golf in their cricket-mad nation by finishing in the medals @Olympics. The golf tournament starts tomorrow.
???#Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Olympicgolfhttps://t.co/efmT7rRBZW— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 28, 2021
“I spoke to a few Norwegian female weightlifters and they had more muscles than I do! They were ripped and were as tall as I am. They were more curious about golf than anything else, asking me like how we play 18 holes and that was pretty cool. I met a few other Indian athletes and they’re so dedicated in what they want to do. They are so focused on what they want to achieve that you can learn from them.”
Donning India’s tri-colours will provide the motivation for Lahiri and Mane as they seek podium finishes. “It always invokes the feeling of going beyond yourself. You’re not here for yourself this week. Anirban Lahiri is not playing for Anirban Lahiri. I’m playing for India, for my motherland,” he said.
“You’re thinking of going beyond what you think is your best. Definitely wearing your nation’s colours make a difference. It’s a hugely positive thing. I believe I have experience, the game and fortitude to do what is needed. I want to give myself the opportunity come Sunday. That’s what I’m here to do and that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Eight players from the Asian Tour will tee off in one of the tournaments of their lives tomorrow when they compete in the first round of the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
And, perhaps, none will be more excited and proud than Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino who The International Golf Federation ‒ organisers of the golf event ‒ have given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot.
Hoshino, who was the leading Asian Tour player to qualify after finishing in 24th place on the rankings, will start at 7:30 a.m. local time ‒ along with Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Sepp Straka of Austria.
The 25 year old, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three years, has enjoyed a brilliant 2021, winning twice in Japan to take pole position on the money list there.
The other Japanese player competing ‒ Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama ‒goes off at 8:41 a.m.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, who competed in Rio five years ago, is the next Asian Tour player off at 8.52 a.m.; while Gavin Green from Malaysia, the other Asian Tour competitor in the field who competed in Rio, is in the following group at 9.03 a.m.
Both are former Asian Tour Order of Merit champions.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is in the threesome at 9.14 a.m; while his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner – starts his Olympics at 9.47 a.m.
Juvic Pagunsan from the Philippines and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent are the only Asian Tour players paired together at 10.58 a.m., and India’s Udayan Mane ‒ who earned the 60th and final Olympic qualifying berth ‒ makes his debut in the Olympics at 11.09 a.m.
In one of the high-profile groups, American Collin Morikawa ‒ last week’s winner of The Open ‒ Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Korean Sungjae Im begin at 10.25 a.m.
Wooden clubs and mud greens, Indian Open champ C. Muniyappa lockdown innovations. By Robin Bose from thegolfinghub.com, in India.
C. Muniyappa, the 2009 Hero Indian Open champion, grew up learning golf on mud greens with handcrafted clubs. The setting used to be agricultural fields in his village before he moved to pristine championship courses like the Karnataka Golf Association in Bengaluru, his regular practice venue. But unknown to him then, staying connected to his village, called Poolampatti in the nearby state of Tamil Nadu, would help him many years down at a time when life and golf came to a standstill.
Since the pandemic struck last year, the visits to the village to escape the scourge of the virus were also used to stay sharp, albeit the traditional way. Muniyappa got little time to plan before the first visit and arrived in the village without his regular clubs save the odd iron and had to make do with ones carved out of the branches of a tamarind tree. It was nothing new for Muniyappa as access and affordability was not easy in the formative years. The clubs were improvised alright but in sync with the three mud greens he created last year in a portion of the land owned by his uncle.
He was better prepared this time and anticipating the second wave in late March moved to the village with a better ensemble of conventional clubs a week after the Professional Golf Tour of India got stalled again. Practice was on the mind, but also on the agenda was building a base for the family. Work on both projects started alongside and though it will be a while before the house is ready, Muniyappa was up and about with practice in no time.
Two-and-quarter acres were earmarked for the makeshift mini golf course, and it took Muniyappa and his sons Kiran (16) and Prem (10) about two days to get the facility ready. Making use of the hilly terrain to increase the difficulty quotient, two mud greens of 150 and 120 yards have been created at a higher level while the third measuring 140 yards is on a lower gradient. Irons and a sand wedge come into use here, and since the putter broke during practice, a 9-iron is being used as a makeshift putter along with a wooden one.
Through April and a portion of May, Muniyappa practiced hard, but just as the connect with the past was getting stronger, he was laid low by body ache and high fever. Given the times, it was a scare till medical reports confirmed dengue. A month went by without practice, and though yet to gain full strength, Muniyappa is getting back to the old schedule.
A typical day starts at 7am with an hour-long session of stretching, pull-ups, yoga and breathing exercises. Depending on the intensity of the sun, practice happens early in the morning or between 4-6.30 pm. Work starts from the makeshift range which allows a carry of 230 yards. Excited village kids wait at the other end to collect the balls, and for the odd golf ball as a giveaway after Muniyappa is done.
The action then shifts to the tight mini course. Teeing off amid lush green foliage, chipping and putting is a test of skill given the rocky and potholed terrain. But Muniyappa swears by it and claims the experience makes putting in tournaments seem like child’s play. Given the small coverage area, the exercise is repeated 4-5 times. As for the score, it mostly hovers around 1-2-over. The best he has managed till date is 1-under and that is a source of encouragement to keep at it in the hope when tournaments resume this unconventional practice drill will hold in good stead.
Lockdown innovations ?
Former Indian Open champion C. Muniyappa ?? making the most of the pandemic back home in India. ?⛳ pic.twitter.com/qBwzyhnopd
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 26, 2021
The XXXII Olympiad is finally here, with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday, and next week will see the men’s golf tournament tee-off at Kasumigaseki Country Club. To whet your appetite, we look back at Rio 2016 ‒ when Justin Rose won gold in such glorious fashion.
Justin Rose’s exuberant fist pump celebration after holing the winning putt was one of the many lasting memories from Rio 2016.
Sadly, the Englishman did not make the Great Britain team for Tokyo, but he set the bar for Olympic golf in terms of passion and performance.
He became golf’s first Olympic champion since 1904 by overcoming friend and Ryder Cup partner Henrik Stenson from Sweden in a thrilling final round at the Olympic Golf Course.
Rose, 36 years old at the time, was level with Stenson on 15 under par after 17 holes but the Swede bogeyed the last while Rose sank a birdie putt to win by two shots.
The 2013 US Open champion closed with a four-under-par 67 to win on 16 under.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Henrik Stenson (R) of Sweden congratulates Justin Rose of Great Britain as Rose celebrates winning in the final round of men’s golf on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Golf Course on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Stenson ‒ who two months earlier had claimed The Open ‒ took silver with a 68, while American Matt Kuchar carded a 63 to claim bronze on 13 under.
“That felt better than anything I’ve ever won,” said Rose.
“It was the best tournament I’ve ever done. Hopefully, we have shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves, for golf.”
Rose had relished the prospect of becoming an Olympian since the moment the sport’s return to the Games was confirmed in 2009.
Such was his eagerness to be part of the experience, he arrived the week before the Olympics officially started to ensure he was part of the opening ceremony.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about Rio for a long, long time. I’ve been dreaming about coming here for a few years now. I was hoping my ranking would allow me to compete in the Olympic Games.
“I came here in good form, and I felt excited about competing, excited about giving it 100%. Then, when I actually got down to Rio and experienced the whole vibe of the Olympics, to come out of it with a medal is incredible. To come out of it with gold, unbelievable.”
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Justin Rose (C) of Great Britain celebrates with the gold medal, Henrik Stenson (L) of Sweden, silver medal, and Matt Kuchar of the United States, bronze medal, after the final round of men’s golf on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Golf Course on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
The Englishman made history by hitting Olympic golf’s first hole-in-one in the opening round and started Sunday with a one-shot lead, before shooting four birdies and just one bogey on his outward nine.
Stenson carded birdies in four of his first 10 holes and drew level with Rose when the leader dropped a shot on the 13th.
It looked like a play-off would be needed to separate them, but Rose held his nerve on the par-five last, chipping his approach to two feet from the hole, while Stenson’s spun away to around 20 feet.
The Swede then raced his birdie putt eight feet past the hole and missed the return to allow Rose the luxury of two putts for victory. He needed just the one.
Earlier, Stenson had been forced to summon the trainer to help with back issues on the 14th hole, which left him face down on the tee for a brief spell. He went on to bogey the hole.
“I didn’t make the best swings there for a little while, but it wasn’t hindering me too much,” Stenson said. “But it’s not something you plan to have worked on out on the course.
“It did kind of put me out of rhythm a little bit, but I was still there till the end. It was just down to whoever made a birdie on the last, otherwise we would have been out for a play-off.”
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat competes in the men’s individual stroke play at the Olympic Golf course during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016. / AFP / Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
A total of 14 Asian Tour members competed in Rio, with several players excelling: in particular, Australian Marcus Fraser and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand tied for fifth, just eight shots behind Rose. Fraser, in fact, led after day one and two.
But more than the performances it was the Olympic experience that was remembered the most by the Asian Tour players who competed.
Bangladesh star Siddikur Rahman was the flag bearer for his country, Brazil’s Adilson da Silva was the first player to tee off in the first round, and Malaysian Gavin Green, inspired by the occasion, promptly got an Olympic tattoo on his arm when he returned home.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, saved the best for last at the Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Sunday after closing with a three-under-par 67 to finish in a tie for 46th place, on even par ‒ his best finish in three appearances in golf’s eldest Major.
It brought to an end a good week’s work for Asian Tour players, which saw five survive the halfway cut, with South African Justin Harding ‒ a two-time winner on the Asian Tour ‒ leading the way by finishing in a tie for 19th, following a final day 75, in the final Major of the year.
American Johannes Veerman tied with Jazz, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita came equal 59th and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin ended joint 76th ‒ an impressive result considering it was his Major debut.
American star Collin Morikawa claimed the title after shooting an inspired bogey-free final round 66 to hold off compatriot Jordan Spieth and win by two strokes.
The 24-year-old, who won his first Major on his US PGA Championship debut last year, became the first Open debutant to win since American Ben Curtis did so at this course in 2003.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand plays his shot from the first tee during Day One of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 15, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
“This is one of the best moments of my life,” he said. “Look at all these fans. To see some of the best crowds I have ever seen, I’m looking forward to making my trip every year.”
Morikawa’s final round saw him win on 15 under, with 2017 champion Spieth also recording a 66.
US Open champion Jon Rahm from Spain birdied four of his last six holes to also card a 66 and finish joint third on 11 under with overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen from South African, who closed with a 71.
“I tell everyone I am not the biggest history guy but I want to add myself to history and make memories for myself,” added Morikawa.
“Everything about this week was very special, to cap it on my caddie’s birthday, even more special.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Open Champion, Collin Morikawa of United States celebrates with the Claret Jug on the 18th hole during Day Four of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 18, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“I’ve had belief in myself since turning pro that I can do it. When it’s coming to these tournaments, courses and styles that I have never played, I do my homework Monday to Wednesday to know what I need to do.”
Report by Robin Bose from thegolfinghub.com, in India.
Udayan Mane does not care much about the cliché, “I grew up dreaming of the Olympics.” He had an “unreal” wish of featuring in the Ryder Cup though, but not the Olympic Games. “As kids, we engaged in putting competitions to win The Masters, but the Olympics was never on the to-do list,” said the Indian.
But since golf returned to the Games after 112 years at Rio 2016, Mane made an addition to the checklist. The week of the event in Rio, Mane was keyed in, making it a point to tune in for the post-round interviews of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in particular to “get a sense of the atmosphere”.
He stepped up by raising his craft several notches and specific work going into fitness. The hours of toil paid off as Mane qualified for Tokyo courtesy of a prolific run on the Professional Golf Tour of India between December 2019 and March 2020 that saw him win thrice in succession and finish second before the virus struck.
But the road to Tokyo had been an arduous one.
With overseas travel an uphill task and tournaments at home after the pandemic hit happening in fits and starts, Mane’s ranking dropped. With time, interest in the Olympic rankings waned too but he kept doing what he was supposed to. Mane won the Delhi NCR Open, the last event on the Professional Golf Tour of India before Lockdown 2 this year, but he was aware that would not suffice. Mails were shot off to the European and Sunshine Tours requesting for spots. The South African Tour responded favourably but by May India was in the red zone, making leaving the shores impossible. Another opportunity was the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup on the Japan Golf Tour, but the 14-day quarantine rule did not make sense.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 04: Udayan Mane of India in action during round four of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open at Kurmitola Golf Club on February 4, 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
The angst got deeper when Mane was informed by the Indian Golf Union, the national federation, in June that he did not figure even among the Olympic replacements. Mane ploughed on with his daily schedule but with a tinge of disappointment. But when news broke of Emiliano Grillo’s pull out from the Olympics, which paved his way to join Anirban Lahiri in Tokyo, it was like elixir. Practice at the Poona Club got more structured and with a lot more intent.
The golf course yet to reopen after the second wave in the country, Mane is the lone figure practicing with undivided focus. Initially, when news broke of his qualification, the phone did not stop ringing and that was an irritant. At the risk of seeming impolite, Mane had to switch off as there is a task on hand.
Peace has been restored and its Mane, Rupesh, his caddy on Tour, and fitness trainer Samarth Dwivedi hard at work. A typical day starts at 8am with mobility and conditioning under the watchful eyes of Dwivedi. The 90-minute session at the gym, again out of bounds for everyone else, is followed by breakfast before hitting the golf course around 11am. From then till 6pm, all aspects of the game are covered interspersed by playing nine or 18 holes six days a week.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 04: Udayan Mane of India in action during round four of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open at Kurmitola Golf Club on February 4, 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
Notes are also being exchanged between the two Olympic-bound athletes and Rahil Gangjee, their go-to man on what to expect in Japan. Mane has made it a point to have a chat with Gangjee at least once a week so that enough updates are got on the conditions before departure.
After the dismal phase of watching the world pass by, the mood is upbeat and should a medal come India’s way, the Mane household in Pune will have a quiet celebration, quite like the way they embraced his qualification. It was over roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies; a podium finish will call for a more elaborate menu.
Singapore’s Marc Ong won for the first time on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today ‒ in the fourth leg, at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The 26 year old fired a closing two-under-par 70 to finish even for the tournament, and tie compatriot Greg Foo but win on countback based on final round score.
Foo, joint leader at the start of the day with Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach, closed with a 75 on the Tampines Course.
Slorach tied for third, two shots back, with countryman Mardan Mamat and Myanmar’s Zaw Moe.
“This is my first win as a pro, so it means so much,” said Ong, who earned a cheque for S$3,850.
“It was close all the way and to come out on top against Greg [Foo] and Mardan [Mamat] is really great. I didn’t check the scores for most of the round but when I checked the app I saw we were tied so that put the pressure on.”
Ong, a professional for three years who is based at Tanah Merah, toured the front nine in two under and came home in even par making a crucial birdie on the par-three 16th.
Foo had claimed the second leg of the Pro Series here on the Tampines Course – helped by a final round 64 – and was looking to continue that winning streak this week.
However, the two-time Singapore Open Amateur champion double bogeyed the 10th and dropped shots on 14, 15 and 18 for a back nine of 42.
And, Mamat, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, also struggled home in two over – he made double on the par five 15th – to help hand victory to Ong.
“It wasn’t meant to be today, best to let the young one’s win,” joked 53-year-old Mamat.
In the 73rd Singapore Open Amateur Championship – which was run in parallel with the Pro Series event, on the same course ‒ Singapore’s Ryan Ang emerged victorious. He closed with a 74 to finish four over for the event and beat countryman Justin Kuk by two shots. Singapore’s Hailey Loh claimed the women’s title by five from Aloysa Margiela Atienza.
This week marked the first time the Singapore Open Amateur Championship has been played in parallel with a professional event.
The event was also to be the circuit’s first 72-hole tournament, but Tuesday’s first round was washed out because of heavy rain. Total prize money was S$12,600.
Each of the Pro Series legs counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’, where the winner of the Order of Merit will also receive a bonus of S$10,000.
The next event – leg five – will be played on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from August 4 to 5.
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