By V. Krishnaswamy, IANS
Bangkok : Sitting in a Japanese restaurant, eating sticky rice and sushi, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia says the Asian Tour has been a great learning experience.
“Some years back I was not confident of travelling alone. I was not confident of talking to strangers and all I felt good about was getting to the golf course, where I knew I could compete with anybody,” says the smiling Chowrasia, who this week completes two years on the Asian Tour.
“Some Indians want Indian food all the time. I am willing to experiment and am enjoying it,” says Chowrasia.
“Now I am comfortable travelling anywhere, be it Vietnam, be it Taiwan or China or anywhere. By and large, fellow players are friendly and people appreciate you for your golf and that’s been the big education for me.
“And yes, my golf has improved. In my first year I was ranked 38th, and now I am 29th this season,” says Chowrasia, who has brought his Kolkata friend and fellow pro, Rafiq Ali as his caddie.
“Rafiq is a fine player and is always an asset to have to guide you on the course. He was with me last year when I finished tied 10th at the Volvo Masters.”
Seven years ago, in only his second year as a professional Chowrasia finished second to Arjun Atwal at the 1999 Indian Open on his home course at Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC).
“I was barely 20 at that time,” recalled Chowrasia. “Still it was a great experience.”
Son of a greens-keeper at the RCGC, Chowrasia is a self-taught golfer.
“I have had no formal training, though years ago, I did spend a couple of weeks with an Australian coach who had come to India,” says Chowrasia. “I basically rely on feel.”
On the Asian Tour experience, he continues: “Playing in different countries with very strong fields has helped me. I have been in contention a few times and I know I can compete with the best. On the golf course, everyone has the same challenge.”
On how he communicates with people, he said: “I used to be hesitant initially. I don’t speak very good English, but I realised that I only need to communicate. The Koreans, Thais and Japanese also speak broken English and they get along well. I think it was all a mental block; now I go where I feel, and do what I want to.”
“And of course, the Indians players on the Tour have been very helpful, too. Rahil (Gangjee), Gaurav (Ghei) and Shiv (Kapur) are players I travel a lot with. I don’t hesitate to ask them.”
On how he decided to get on to the Asian Tour, Chowrasia reveals: “At the end of the 2005, I decided I would put away part of my earnings from Indian Tour to play on the Asian Tour. I decided I would invest Rs.600,000 for travelling and expenses on a few events. If it worked I would stay or else I would take a decision again.”
He never really needed to worry. His first season on Asian Tour was a big success. He impressed all with a good opening event in Pakistan and then had top-20 finishes in Philippines and Crowne Plaze in China.
Chowrasia improved gradually and then came a top-10 at Bangkok Airways Open and he made headlines at Mercuries Masters in Taiwan, when he led by three shots at halfway but was disqualified for forgetting to sign his scorecard.
“That was an awful experience. I wanted to cry, but soon got over it. It was a big lesson,” says Chowrasia of that sad experience. “But the good thing was Gaurav won the event and he was very helpful in my getting over the experience.”
At the Hero Honda Indian Open in 2006, he lost a play-off to Jyoti Randhawa after missing a 15-feet birdie putt for the title on 72nd hole. He ended the year with a tenth place in Volvo Masters.
“I was fourth, but bogeyed last two holes to come 10th. Still it was a great year,” says Chowrasia.
Now in his second year, the first half of the year was very modest, but he picked up in second half.
“I missed cuts in four big events in a row from Johnnie Walker to Singapore Masters to Volvo China Open and BMW Asian Open. That was disappointing. But in second half things were better. I had top-20 in Brunei and China Classic and got my first top-10 at Hero Honda. But the thing was I making cuts and finishing in 20s and 30s. That secured my card, but I am keen on contending. Still I am not impatient, my time will come,” says a confident Chowrasia.
What next? “I have taken up membership on European Tour. If I do well in joint-sanctioned events between Asia and Europe, I will have a good chance to have a go at European Tour card and that is my next goal,” adds Chowrasia.
“I am secure now. RCGC has backed my travels, I have done well on Indian and Asian Tour and my game has improved. I am also working on physical fitness, where Pritam Saikia is helping me,” concludes Chowrasia.