New Delhi: India's Rahil Gangjee was in sublime form shooting a flawless 6-under 66 to share the opening round lead at the Hero 50th Indian Open on Thursday. Tilak Malaviya unplugs the champion golfer from Kolkata, who is aiming to add the Indian Open title this week.
Early years: Started golf as a 9 year-old kid. My father Mr B H Gangjee introduced me to the game at Tolllygunge Club, Kolkata.
Home Golf Course: Royal Calcutta Golf Club
First coach: An old caddy named Yakub Khan who also pawned second hand golf clubs and was instrumental in piecing together my first set.
First Golf Set: Was a mixed bag with various heads and shafts. First proper set was ProSelect.
First golf round: I shot 43 over
Role Models:My father Mr B H Gangjee and Arjun Atwal
Academics: I was in LaMartiniere (KG-12). Junior School, always finished in the top 15 in the class academically. Was always inclined towards sports right from junior school.
Other Sports: Swimming (school swimming team since class 3, all the way till graduation), best diver in my age group throughout school. School teams - hockey, athletics. 100m/200m champion (11th & 12th grade)
Highlights as an Amateur: I made the Indian sub-junior team which participated in the world championships at Topolino in San Remo, Italy. As an amateur, I won the East India Amateur championship 3 times; qualified for the Eisenhower Trophy in 2000 & was ranked the No. 1 amateur golfer in the country in 2000. I also won the Western India amateur by a margin of 19 shots in 2000.
Early success as a Pro: As soon as I attained the #1 ranking as an amateur, I realized it was time to turn professional. I won the 2001 HT Pro golf title in my rookie season.I had no idea how I won the tournament being a rookie. I think my skill pulled me through since I was severely lacking in experience. That win made me believe that I belonged in the professional circuit and made me hungrier for continued success.
Maiden Asian Tour title: In 2004, I won the Volkswagen Masters – China in my rookie season on Asian Tour beating a top field that included Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes Phillip Price, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo..I did not expect to win the tournament but that win was big because it gave me a cushion of 3 years (tour exemption) to refine and hone my golf at the international level.
Comeback: I had a slumber between 2005 - 07. It was due to too much pressure that I put on myself to keep winning year in and year out. My PGTI win at RCGC in 2008 was the first win that I had absolute control over my game and myself. Even though I did not win wire-to-wire, I was in command of my shot making and mental framework. The win felt natural. My game since 2008 has improved leaps and bounds ever since I emphasized improving my short game and focused on quality practice rather than mindless ball hitting.
Nationwide/Web.com Tour experience: Highlight was acing the par-4 15th hole during the final round of the 2011 Mylan Classic on the Nationwide Tour. I hit a booming 316 yard drive which luckily went in. I played on the Nationwide Tour/Web.com Tour in 2011 and 2012 with mixed results and returned to the Asian Tour. My best finish was a T-11 at the 2011 Rex Hospital Open.
Leisure time: I like to swim and spend time with my family and friends.
Favourites
Actor: Amir Khan & Brad Pitt
Actress: Bipasha Basu & Charlize Theron
Hindi Movie: 3 Idiots
English Movie: Snatch
Music: House music - DJ Tiesto.
Strangest Golfing Moment - Delhi Golf Club, 1st hole, Par 5 at a tournament in 2007: I hit my 2nd shot just over the back edge of the green and was able to see my ball stop from the fairway. When I got there, just behind my ball in the rough was lying another ball of mine. I still don't know how that got there.
Best shot ever: Acing the par-4 15th hole during the final round of the 2011 Mylan Classic on the Nationwide Tour.
Most memorable moment on a golf course: The winning putt at the Volkswagen Masters in 2004
Favorite holiday destination: Bangalore & Positano, Italy
Favorite golf course: KGA, Bangalore and Pinevalley Golf & Country Club, Beijing
Favorite Golf Resort: ITC Classic & Sanya, Hainan, China
Toughest Golf Course/Hole - Tianjin Golf Club, China
By Indian Sports News
