Gangjee's last shot restores sanity

Faltering twice on the big stage in as many years has left him alive to the prickly issue, but Rahil Gangjee is yet to come up with a recipe to prevent a revisit to the past.

Going into the final day of the 2010 Avantha Masters, Gangjee was poised for the biggest win of his pro career, but his run in the wilderness continued. At 11-under 205, he was locked in a seven-way race to the title, but came to pieces under pressure to finish T14 with a dismal 74.

Coming to terms was difficult but Gangjee gathered himself and proceeded to realise his dream of playing on the PGA Tour via the Nationwide Tour route.

"Some people go through such experiences without learning much," were his words and the result at the Albertsons Boise Open made it apparent that he had lessons to learn.

The start was phenomenal, and the rounds of 67 and 68 were a statement of intent from a man who has invested heavily, be it time or money, to fulfill a long-standing dream. Following it up with a 64 meant there was little scope of the script going awry. "We all get nervous, that's human, it's the ability to cope with it that makes the difference," he says.

Though another addition to his list of forgettable moments, the experience at Boise Open came with a moral. "I came to realise the importance of Jack Nicklaus's words that it's about how comfortable one can be while being uncomfortable."

Finding himself in a similar spot at the Kensville Golf and Country Club, Gangjee is hoping he has imbibed enough to come out unscathed on the final day of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge. The ultra-slow progress of the bunch ahead of the leader group or the falling apart of co-leader, Shiv Kapur, Gangjee had enough to distract him on Saturday.

Of course, there were instances when he looked like returning a card higher than the 73 - like on the 16th and 17th, when criss-crossing the greens made it look as if "I was playing hockey", but the final-hole birdie restored sanity and supremacy.

First Published: Jan 28, 2012 22:50 IST