‘GPL will be a different challenge’

Gaganjeet Bhullar will lead the charge for the Punjab Lancers team in the Golf Premier League.

For four-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar, the upcoming Golf Premier League will not only be an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of world's top-ranked golfers, but it will also present him a chance to play in a different format, a thing which he says will help him ahead of the busy schedule. The 22-year-old golfer from Kapurthala, will be leading the charge for the Punjab Lancers in the league, which will start at the Aamby Valley City, Maharashtra from February 7. Bhullar was in Chandigarh on Thursday and in a chat with Sportline, the youngster shared his plans for the league, preparations for the international season and the need to improve his world rankings this season.

Excerpts :

The GPL will see a prize money of $4,00,000 and it will see the presence of top ranked golfers from Asia and Europe. How do you see the league?

It's an exciting opportunity to be a part of this league. This will be the first time that day-night golf will be played in a professional format in Asia and I am excited for the challenge. It was nice that Shiv Kapur came up this idea of franchise-based golf tournament and Indian golfers will benefit from this league. The league will see us playing in three rounds with two day-night rounds of stroke play and final round based on best-ball format. It will be a different challenge and will be a good change for us.

The Punjab Lancers team sees the presence of golfers like Thaworn Wiratchant and Shaun Michaels, holder of the record for most Asian Tour title. How do you see their presence in the team?

The team has a blend of youth and experience. I have played along with Wiratchant on the Asian Tour and he is a tough competitor. He won the Asian Order of Merit last year and has been in fine form. Playing with players like him and Michaels will definitely help me to improve my game and I am sure they will also enjoy playing in India. The other teams will also field players from the Asian tour European Tour and it will be a tough challenge for us.

... contd.

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