Manav Jaini is one golfer who had a great outing last year and made cuts in the most of the tournaments, but unfortunately could not convert them into a win on domestic or international level. The 29-year-old Delhi-based golfer however wants to bring a whole lot of change in his game and wants this year as a transition year.
In an interview to Samikshan Dutta Choudhury of Indian Sports News, Manav talks about his plans, PGTI and more. EXCERPTS:
ISN: Your last two seasons were great and you almost made cut in everything you played. So how would look to start the current season especially with Avantha Masters knocking on the door?
Manav: Well I did have a great season in 2010 and 2011, and barring the missed cut at the last weeks Myanmar Open, I would seriously like to start the season on a reformed note. This season would be a transition year for me and I am looking forward to change a lot of aspects of my game. As a whole I could say is that this season is going to be a breakthrough year for me.
ISN: Avantha Masters the richest tournament on Indian soil is just around the corner. So how much do you fancy your chances there?
Manav: Well every tournament I enter, I fancy my chances. And talking about Avantha Masters, I definitely would want to perform to the best of abilities and win. Winning such a tournament so early in the year would give a great momentum and could do wonders for me during the season. So I would surely try and win it and carry the momentum ahead.
ISN: So will we see Manav playing more on the PGTI or Asian tour?
Manav: See everyone wants to graduate on to the next level and same is the case with me. I would play more on the Asian Tour and co-sanctioned events. Since I do not have the full card as I finished 63rd and only top 61 could keep their Asian Tour card, I would play through country exempt. The tournament which I would get through country exempt would be all full fielded events and would definitely help me to achieve higher endeavors.
ISN: Indian golfers play exceptionally well on Indian soil and would give any top pro a run for their money. But then when they go out of India their performance falls down drastically. What might be the possible reason?
Manav: Well to an extent it is true and I think the reason for that would be lack of knowledge of about the courses. There are lots of technical aspects that need to be checked while playing abroad. So it just a matter of time that and once we start playing more on away soil would we adapt to them quickly.
ISN: Manav you have made cuts on most of the tournaments you played, and have close to winning on many occasions. How is it that you feel when you lose after coming so close to winning?
Manav: Well that’s a feeling which I don’t think I can explain. I mean whenever I lose any tournament where I come close, it is only me who could blame. I mean at this level you cannot make mistakes like that. Even during the SAIL Open where I got a chance to pick up my first Asian Tour victory in the regulation play itself was dragged on to a three way play-off due a very third shot. Even I had a chance in the play off but missed out on the birdie and eventually Anirban ran off with it. So these things are something which needs to work at a personal level and all I can say is that I would definitely try and work out on that.
ISN: How much do you think PGTI is coming in terms with others tours around the World like Japan Tour or Asian Tour?
Manav: Well PGTI is just a five years old tour and it would be unfair to compare it with Japan or Asian Tour. Personally if talking about PGTI, I think it is a great platform and does really throw up new talents every year. The level of competition is increasing, the money has gone up and also the cuts are going lower. So everything is going in the right direction and definitely only good can happen to this tour.
