Bhullar ready for challenge at Shinhan Donghae Open

INDIA’S Gaganjeet Bhullar will be looking to revive good memories when he defends his title at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Incheon, South Korea, this week.

After enduring a three-year title drought, Bhullar resurrected his career in the best possible manner by overcoming a five-shot deficit to get back into the winner’s circle at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club last year.

The seven-time Asian Tour winner is now hoping to extend that winning run at the US$1.06mil tournament that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean PGA from Sept 14 to 17.

“It’s going to be a special feeling when I return to the Shinhan Donghae Open. That was the biggest victory of my professional career so far,” said Bhullar.

He is hoping to get another Asian Tour victory this year following a tied-second finish at the Thailand Open in May.

“After winning the Shinhan Donghae Open last year, my thinking has changed a lot.

“I’ve matured as a player and that has definitely helped in my game. I’m getting much bigger opportunities now and I’m taking all of these as positive challenges,” he said.

Bhullar will come up against a strong field that features more than 15 Asian Tour champions, including Order of Merit winners David Lipsky of the United States and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant. – Asian Tour