Indian Masters gets a home-grown champion in debut event

Remember how difficult (ultimately impossible) it was for Mike Weir to win the Canadian Open a few years back? He received a bear hug from an over-zealous, over-drunk fan that ultimately proved injurious, then lost to Vijay Singh in a playoff. The Indian Masters of 2008 began in similar fashion, as Jyoti Randhawa exploded out of the tee blocks with minus-seven effort of 65 for a two-stroke lead.

Randhawa went the way of many with a nation’s (or perhaps a self-imposed) burden and never again visited the 60s. He finished in a tie for 22nd place. Arjun Atwal and Dijvijay Singh (is that an ad or an order?) also threatened to make proud the Indian flag, only to falter in the final round with respective scores of 76 and 70. In truth, Digvijay’s effort was much closer to the anticipated number, placing him in a tie for fourth. By the end of the day though, India had her native champion, with a name that resembled more a sailing vessel than a golfer.

The curiously-monikered S.S.P. Chowrasia (which I believe might set sail for Augusta in March) went absolutely bonkers with birdies on four of the first seven holes, adding a fifth on number 11. With nary a bogey on his card, S.S.P.C. held off Ireland’s Damien McGrane (who bogeyed 17 when he needed birdie, then closed with a chirper to take solo second); France’s Raphael Jacquelin (the third-round leader who countered three bogeys with no birdies through the first ten holes, counter-punched with two late birdies, then added an ignominious fourth bogeroo for 74 and t4th); and J.M. Lara (only two initials on that one, to go with 2 birds and 2 boges on day 4 for place #3.)

Next up for Chowrasia is the Indian Open, although he’ll have a bit of a wait. The event takes place in October. He can consult Randhawa for advice, as Mr. Jyoti emerged victorious with a win last Fall. If one of the Indian brethren can win the SAIL Open championship in two weeks, then the European-Asian Tours swing will have the unique status of three, native-born, Indian champions. That has to count for something in today’s global economy.