Baek Seuk-hyun
The Asian Tour young guns will be eager to prove that age is not a barrier to success when the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) tees off next week.
Local prospect Rashid Khan, Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea and Thai duo Atiwit Janewattananond and Panuphol Pittayarat, who have a combined age of 73, will be among the elite field at the Delhi Golf Club from April 6 to 9 (Wednesday to Saturday).
Highly rated Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, who recently turned professional, will also be making his Asian Tour debut through a sponsor’s invite in the US$300,000 event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
Khan, 20, missed out on an opportunity to earn his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School earlier this year after retiring from the second round due to illness and will seek redemption on his home course next week.
The young Indian stood tall among the more illustrious players at last week’s SAIL Open, held at the same venue, when he finished in tied 12th place. He hopes to fulfil his ambitions of playing on the Asian Tour.
“You look at Gaganjeet (Bhullar) and Anirban (Lahiri), they are both playing on the Asian Tour and have enjoyed success. It is my goal to follow in their footsteps,” said Khan.
Playing in his second year on the Asian Tour, Korea’s Baek has fond memories at the Delhi Golf Club where he was in contention in last year’s Indian Open before finishing in second place.
He will be equipped with his new found confidence after finishing in 21st place on the Order of Merit last season but is wary of the talented and experienced cast of players who will assemble in India next week.
“There are so many good players from various countries here. But when you play in a different country, you gain more experience and it builds your career,” said Baek.
As an amateur, Atiwit wrote a slice of history by becoming the youngest player at the age of 14 years and 71 days to make the halfway cut at the Asian Tour International in Thailand last year.
Atiwit, who has a hairstyle almost similar to Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa, shined beyond his age of 15 when he placed tied 30th in last week’s SAIL Open.
His compatriot Panuphol, 18, nicknamed “Coconut”, earned his Asian Tour card in Qualifying School and he hopes to make full use of the opportunity to elevate his career.
The carefree player said, “This is a very good chance to play with the top Asian Tour players. Hopefully I can continue to play well and make a living on the Asian Tour!”
Perera, the son of Sri Lankan golfer Nandasena, an Asian Games Silver medalists and winner of the 1991 Sabah Masters Malaysia, relishes the opportunity to play among the best players in Asia as he aims to sharpen his game.
However, these immensely young players will face tough challenges from the Asian Tour stars including Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, a 12-time Asian Tour winner, Jyoti Randhawa, a former number one in Asia and Siddikur of Bangladesh.
The top three players at the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia. The Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
