Slow and steady Kahlon wins race

JYOTI RANDHAWA

As I stood behind the 18th green, watching the leader-group of the Hero Honda Masters 2002 sink their final putts, I felt sorry that I wasn’t a part of that three-ball. Having twice experienced the feeling of thousands watching amid mounting pressure and that flow of adrenaline, it was difficult to watch the proceedings from the other side.

However, I must congratulate Harmeet Kahlon for his superb win. This victory would have been doubly sweet being his first win as a professional.

An important quality, for success in professional golf is hard-work. Perseverance comes a close second. Kahlon has abundance of both. I am hard-pressed to think of another golfer who works as hard and is as committed to the sport. The Hero Honda Masters win is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Kahlon is concerned and I strongly believe we will see a lot more of this man in times to come. As for me, I have to put this disappointing week behind me and start afresh. The Asian PGA Tour’s 2002 season has only just commenced and there is a lot of golf to be played. I aim to make it to the prestigious European Tour next year.

A look at the final leader-board reveals that as many as six Indians have essayed top-fifteen finishes while three Thai golfers, namely Prayad Marksaeng, Thammanoon Sriroj and Thaworn Wiratchant have done their country proud. No mention of the tournament will be complete without the sponsors Hero Honda Motors who have been magnanimous supporters of golf in India.

(Tiger Sports Marketing)