Himmat Singh Rai is on a high after his maiden Asian Tour win at the ISPS Singapore Classic 2011. He has been doing quite well on the Asian and PGTI Tour with a win each on both the circuits compared to last year when he finished in top 20 twice on the Asian Tour. After winning the PGTI Players Championship in February 2009, he has been consistent in his performance and has been aptly keeping his reputation of being the bright hope of Indian golf intact.
Presently playing the DLF Masters 2011 on his home course, in a conversation with Akshi Aggarwal of Indian Sports News, he talks about his win at the Asian Tour and upcoming plans. Excerpts:
ISN: Congratulations on your recent win. How did you manage to finish well in the play offs?
Himmat: Thanks! It was an honourable moment. It was one of the most thrilling finishes for me. I was well prepared for the play offs. I was high on confidence and everything went in my favour.
ISN: How has the recent win changed things for you?
Himmat: It has definitely built up my confidence. In spite of so many golfers playing well, it ended in my favour and that was quite pleasing. Also, now I can schedule the coming year in a better way.
ISN: How the journey has been since 2009 when you registered your first professional win?
Himmat: I have been quite focused post my first professional win in 2009. It has been a learning process and I have tried my best to give a consistent performance so far.
ISN: How did golf start for you?
Himmat: I have been playing since I was six years old. My father was in the Army and I had an easy access to the course. Though he left Army some 14 years back, but for me the golf journey started and here I’m today. I started practicing golf at Army Golf Course, Delhi.
ISN: How do you manage stress while playing?
Himmat: Well from past two years, I am under sports psychologist, Andrea Furst, who is Singapore-based. She has helped me a lot in overcoming pressure and as to how to maintain a balance throughout. On tours when I’m travelling, I consult her.
ISN: With young players like you performing well internationally, do you think that the young players will soon take over the top Indian golf pros?
Himmat: The senior players like Jeev, Arjun and others have been quite encouraging and have been doing well too. I can just say about myself. I guess it’s important to sustain the form and the mental balance. I’m working on it and hope that I get to win more titles in the coming years.
ISN: Tell us about your sponsors?
Himmat: Golf is not a cheap sport. Avantha Group has been supporting me well.
ISN: DLF is your home course. What do you think are your chances of winning DLF Masters 2011?
Himmat: It is always an advantage to play on the home course because one is well aware of the conditions in the different weather conditions. I hoping that this advantage works for me and at the same time I’m looking forward to a steady performance.
