Ajeetesh applies European lessons to Delhi’s golf course

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Golf Club (DGC) suits Ajeetesh Sandhu’s eye, quite like courses in the Far East, where he won his first Asian Tour title last year. Still, scoring opportunities need to be created at DGC despite his record here since the junior days. Back by a shot at 10-under 134 after Day Two of the Panasonic Open, Ajeetesh made it a point to mention the 11th hole, which was critical for momentum on Friday.

“At DGC, one has to create chances by hitting maximum fairways,” but a bogey on the 10th wasn’t the start he hoped for; hence the value of the birdie thereafter.

“It helped me settle down and get into a rhythm.”

If golf is about making an impact with a low number, Ajeetesh is more appreciative after a season on the European Tour, where he got quite a few starts courtesy his status in Asia. Though he made the cut twice in 13 starts, the experience was an eye-opener.

“The top 20-25 players contend regularly in Asia, but in Europe the depth goes down to the 120th player,” said Ajeetesh on why that birdie was priceless.

The results in Europe hurt as he had hoped to fare better, especially after a stellar 2017 on the Asian Tour, but Ajeetesh is happy he pushed himself. “Stepping up a level was well thought out. I could have played more on the Asian Tour, and maybe even won.” He could have, given the two top-10s in Japan and Korea to add to the win in Chinese Taipei last year. “But it would have been staying in the comfort zone.”

Term it to ignoring certain aspects while managing time between two tours, parts of the game “gathered rust”, in particular putting. It has been worked on with coach Jesse Grewal, and if proof was needed, it lies in the 13 birdies over two rounds. As for the three bogeys, that’s golf for the man keen to add to his memories at DGC.