New Delhi: Rashid Khan charged into contention at the US$1.25 million Hero Indian Open with a brilliant third-round 7-under-par 65 to tie for third on 204. Tilak Malaviya unplugs the champion golfer from Delhi Golf Club, who is vying for his maiden Asian Tour title.
Early years: I took up the game at the age of nine with clubs borrowed from my uncle (chacha) Mohd Maqbool Khan, a former professional golfer. I enrolled in the Junior Golf Development Programme at DGC in 1999, and Mr IVS Juneja, the current president of the Delhi Golf Club, gifted me an AccuForm junior golf set.
Home course: Delhi Golf Club
First coach: My uncle, Mohd Maqbool Khan, a former professional golfer.
Highlights as a junior: I won the All India Junior Golf Championship title in the ‘A’ category at KGA, Bangalore, in December 2006. The season-ending victory came after I narrowly missed the Chandigarh Junior title, losing in a play-off to Rahul Bakshi. The All India title gave me the confidence I needed to compete with the best. I beat Amanjyot Singh and Rahul Bakshi by six and seven strokes respectively, and even though Rahul finished the season ranked as the No. 1 junior, that win changed my life.
Faldo Series: After a consistent season in 2007, I won the Faldo Series Asia trophy in sensational style at Mission Hills in December 2007, shooting a final-day 66 that included a back nine of 31 in front of the legendary Nick Faldo himself. I fondly remember the six-time major winner’s reaction when I eagled the par-four 15th. When I birdied the next hole, Nick told my coach I was a machine.
That win at Mission Hills was a very important moment in my young career. It was a great feeling, especially as it was my first win overseas. The reaction in India was great… suddenly everyone knew who Rashid Khan was, and I won my very next junior tournament, in Mumbai.
It opened a number of doors, including an invitation from Nick Faldo to play in the international Faldo Series Grand Final in Brazil in 2008. It was a great tournament, and I was excited to meet Nick Faldo again.
Maiden amateur title: I had a fantastic 2008 season, in which I won four times on the junior circuit and took the LG Northern India Amateur title at the Delhi Golf Club in August for my maiden win on the IGU’s National Amateur Golf Tour. I won by seven strokes.
2008 Volvo Masters of Asia: I was invited to play in the season-ending Tour Championship on the Asian Tour. I shot a final-round one-under-par 71 to finish tied 54th with a four-day total of 294, three strokes ahead of the leading Indian professional, Digvijay Singh. That was an incredible learning experience for me… seeing Asia’s top golfers up close and how they play under tournament conditions.
2009 and beyond: I enjoyed a great run in the second half of 2009 on the National Amateur Tour, winning the last five tournaments, including back-to-back wins in Kolkata in December. I also won the Singapore Amateur title in October and lined up alongside some of Asia’s top professionals at the Cambodian Open at Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap in November.
The Goodricke Eastern India Amateur Golf Championship title at RCGC in December was my first win in a matchplay event, and my tenth overall on the IGU National Amateur Tour, before I decided to turn professional.
Highlights as a pro: I had a few top-10 finishes on the PGTI before I won my maiden title, the Surya Nepal Masters, in 2011. I finished second in quite a few tournaments – the DLF Masters 2011, CG Open 2012, BILT Open 2012, PGTI Players Championship 2012 and Standard Chartered Open 2012 – and I came close to winning the SAIL-SBI Open in March 2013, losing in a play-off to Anirban Lahiri. That was a bitter pill to swallow. However, I won the PGTI Players Championship in April and the 2013 BILT Open title in October at Jaypee Greens.
Leisure time: I love to dance and watch films with friends.
Favourites
- Actor: Aamir Khan
- Actress: Katrina Kaif
- Film: 3 Idiots
- Music: Indian rock
Dream four-ball: I would love to play with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Kapil Kumar.
Most memorable moment on a golf course: When I won my first professional tournament.
Role model: My uncle Mohd Maqbool Khan, who also happens to be my coach.
Best shot ever: On the 16th hole at DGC, I hit the ball between the trees to reach the green and birdied from 10 feet.
Favourite golf course: Delhi Golf Club; abroad: Royal Adelaide, Australia.
Favourite holiday destination: Sydney
Favourite golf resort: ITC Classic Golf Resort (Gurgaon); abroad: Costa do Sauipe Golf Resort, Brazil.
By Tilak Malaviya
