New Delhi, 12-06-2017
Good mix of youth and experience dominates the PGTI Rankings
There’s a good mix of youth and experience that dominates the PGTI Rankings midway through the 2017 season.
If one was to glance through the current top-8 in the money list, it’s quite clear that while there are four seasoned pros right up there, such as Shamim Khan, Anura Rohana, Mukesh Kumar and Harendra Gupta, there are also four youngsters in the frame, namely Khalin Joshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Udayan Mane and Honey Baisoya, all in the age group of 20 to 28.
While the rise of the youth brigade is a positive sign, the youngsters know that they will have to be at their best to topple the experienced lot who continue to assert themselves. Thus the presence of the Old Guard and the Gen Next together at the top augurs well for the future of Indian professional golf.
Shamim Khan has been the shining star of the season so far having accumulated a win and five other top-10s from his seven starts. He has been in contention on multiple occasions and his wide margin of victory at the Kolkata Classic sums up his dominance in the season. Shamim currently leads the Order of Merit by a margin of over Rs. 3 lakh and would be looking to do an encore of his 2012 Order of Merit win.
Khalin Joshi, second in the rankings, has also been a picture of consistency with three runner-up finishes and two other top-10s to his credit. Joshi, who has had his fair share of near-misses in the recent past, would be keen to end his year-long victory drought when the season resumes in August.
Ajeetesh Sandhu impressed with his valiant title defence at the Golconda Masters. He has so far notched a win and four other top-10s to be third on the merit list. Ajeetesh’s stint on the Japan Golf Tour this summer, where he has a partial card, will certainly help him return to the tour as a strong contender in PGTI Rankings race.
Sri Lankan Anura Rohana made a charge up the rankings to fourth after a runner-up finish and a win in the last two events before the season break. The 43-year-old’s recent run of good form makes him a force to reckon with in the remainder of the season.
The unstoppable Mukesh Kumar has once again proved that age is just a number. The 51-year-old veteran, one of the senior-most professionals playing on the PGTI, finds himself in fifth place in the rankings thanks to a win and two other top-5s this year. With no signs of slowing down in the twilight of his career, Mukesh is set to be a top contender for the PGTI Order of Merit title in 2017.
With five top-10s from seven starts including two top-3 finishes, Harendra Gupta has shown flashes of brilliance but is yet to bag his first title this season. He is placed sixth in the rankings and is also the birdie leader at the moment. Gupta will definitely be one of the names to watch out for in the second half of the season.
Promising youngsters Udayan Mane and Honey Baisoya, seventh and eighth in the rankings, have a win each against their names. Mane and Baisoya, both three-time winners on the PGTI, will now look to take aim at the top spot, thus setting the ground for an interesting season ahead.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
