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On Tiger’s trail, Muniyappa off to Las Vegas
In a sport often mocked for its perceived lack of athleticism, the toll each swing of the golf club takes on the body – from the shoulders, across the torso and core, right down to the knees – is often played down. Kaushik Chatterji reports.
In a sport often mocked for its perceived lack of athleticism, the toll each swing of the golf club takes on the body – from the shoulders, across the torso and core, right down to the knees – is often played down.
Swing-related injuries are a rather common occurrence. Two years ago, Jeev Milkha Singh and Chinnaswamy Muniyappa were plagued by lower back injuries.
But while the former opted to take some time off, the latter pushed his body beyond acceptable limits – and had to pay a heavy price.
After a one-and-a-half-year layoff, Muniyappa returned to competitive golf a few months back. But his back has still not completely recovered.
“I’m doing exercises and yoga, but it’s still only about 90 percent,” said Muniyappa during the DLF Masters here. His win in the 2009 Indian Open earned him a place on the Asian Tour for two years.
But with the injury not allowing him to compete, the Bangalore-based professional has got an extension till 2013.
And he plans to make the most of it, which is why, later this month, he is off to Las Vegas for a week.
“I’ll be working on my swing with Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods’ former coach,” said Muniyappa, whose life story has been featured in a 3rd standard NCERT textbook. “I need to adjust it in order to reduce the strain on my back.”
