E-Paper
Bhullar, Muniyappa's rise highlights of Indian golf in 2009
Gaganjeet Bhullar bridged the gap between promise and performance, while C Muniyappa starred in a rags-to-riches story as the Young Turks outshone their senior pros in 2009 to assure that the future of Indian golf is in safe hands.
Gaganjeet Bhullar bridged the gap between promise and performance, while C Muniyappa starred in a rags-to-riches story as the Young Turks outshone their senior pros in 2009 to assure that the future of Indian golf is in safe hands.
Among the Big Three, Jeev Milkha Singh had a rare winless year, Arjun Atwal spent most of the time recovering from career-threatening injuries and inconsistent Jyoti Randhawa tasted his lone success at the Singha Thailand Open.
In stark contrast, Bhullar and Muniyappa earned their breakthrough wins on Asian Tour, Shiv Kapur came tantalisingly close to winning his maiden European Tour title in South Africa and Anirban Lahiri signalling he could be the next Indian to lift an Asian Tour title.
And there could be no second opinion that Bhullar was the find of the season. An imposing 22-year-old from the Punjab town of Kapurthala, Bhullar lifted five titles at home and became the youngest Indian to win an Asian Tour title (Indonesian President Invitational) and play in a Major (The British Open) in a season that has redefined his career.
Besides, he finished runners-up at two other Asian Tour events -- Brunei Open and the Macau Open. His world rankings improved significantly as a result and Bhullar ended the season 167th in the world.
