Gaganjeet Bhullar has salvaged 2023 for Indian men’s pro golf – scoring the only victory on a major international tour
35-year-old Gaganjeet Bhullar salvaged the year 2023 for Indian men’s pro golf by scoring the only victory on a major international tour as he carded rounds of 63-67-63-67 for a 24 under par total and a five-stroke victory margin at the US$ 1.5mn BNI Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club – part of the prestigious International Series through which players can enter the LIV TOUR qualifying.
Bhullar’s impressive total score of 24-under par secured his 11th title on the Asian Tour and fifth in Indonesia alone as he went wire to wire following his opening round of 63. Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa have eight titles each to their names on the Asian Tour.
Bhullar pocketed US$270,000 (₹2.25 cr) and ascended to 8th position on the Asian Tour’s International Series Order of Merit, with a total of US$386,478 (₹3.2 cr) from his 10 appearances. Overall he moves to 4th on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, amassing 1347.36 points in 18 season appearances.
Bhullar had 27 birdies and an eagle in 72 holes against 5 bogeys.
Karandeep Kochhar now stands 15th on the International Series’ Order of Merit
Chandigarh youngster Karandeep Kochhar, was equally impressive, securing 2nd place with 19-under 265. This performance not only marked his best finish on the Asian Tour (he was 5th at the Volvo China Open two weeks prior), but also earned him a substantial prize of US$165,000 (₹1.3cr). This success propelled him to the 15th spot on the Asian Tour’s International Series Order of Merit, boasting a total earnings of US$304,225 (₹2.5cr). So he too gets invited to the LIV Tour qualifier – a potentially life changing opportunity as the top 3 players in the qualifier will get invites to the LIV Tour which is worth a minimum of US$2 million.
Ben Campbell from New Zealand, winner of the Hong Kong Open last Sunday, and Spaniard David Puig shot rounds of 65 and 66 respectively to claim third place, six back of Bhullar – in the final event of the season on The International Series, the set of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour.
LIV Qualifier for Bhullar & Kochhar
The top two finishers in the tournament, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Karandeep Kochhar, will play the upcoming LIV Golf Promotions event scheduled for Dec. 8-10 in Abu Dhabi. This qualifier holds significant importance as it offers three coveted spots for the LIV Golf 2024 season. Anirban Lahiri’s representation of India in Crushers GC adds an exciting dynamic, and should both Bhullar and Kochhar qualify, it promises to attract greater attention to the sport. This is particularly noteworthy for LIV, which currently faces challenges in garnering widespread interest.
Bhullar’s victory elevated him to the eighth position on the International Series Order of Merit, securing his eligibility for a direct bye to the second round in the LIV Promotions event, thus bypassing the opening round. The top eight players on the list enjoy this exemption, automatically advancing to the second round.
Over the past three weeks, Kochhar has emerged as a significant force, making a notable impact with a commendable joint fifth-place finish in the Volvo China Open and an equally impressive equal 25th at the Hong Kong Open before achieving his runner-up position at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
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The Asian tour will now take a week break before the US$ 400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open from Nov. 30-Dec.3 in Chinese Taipei.
Photo – Asian Tour