Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia said that he will be able to do well for his country at the upcoming Rio Olympics, next month. He is very confident about that. “I feel it’s an opportunity for me to give something back to the country. Not everyone gets a chance, I feel very lucky,” Chawrasia told.
The elite sport is returning to the Summer Games for the first time since St Louis 1904, and the event will see 60 players in men’s and women’s section each compete at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio’s Barra da Tijuca zone. “Unlike any other events, it happens once every four years. That it returns to Olympics after 112 years makes it all the more special,” he said.
SSP Chawrasia clinched the Indian Open in March, his third European Tour Title. Chawrasia was “80 per cent sure” of making the cut for the Olympics. His assumption turned a reality on July 11 when the International Golf Federation’s put out its top-60 list where he was ranked 45 to join number 20 Anirban Lahiri whom he had beaten to win the Indian Open.
The Rio-bound golf team also has 18-year Bengaluru girl Aditi Ashok, who in her rookie season as a pro will compete in the women’s event during their competition from August 11-14. It’s a tough field with the USA represented by a strong four-member team who are in the top eight in the IGF Olympics rankings.
“Obviously, the field will be top class (notwithstanding the pullouts). But we know our strengths and Lahiri has been doing quite well. I’m concentrating on my basics. Hopefully, we will make a mark,” Chawrasia said at Royal Calcutta Golf Course.
Focussed on his Olympics preparation, Chawrasia will head to Pattaya in Thailand after three days to compete in the King’s Cup from July 28-31. “I want to be in the mix and don’t want to relax. The Asian Tour event will give me some good practice before I head to Rio on August 4,” Chawrasia added.
The Olympic Golf Course is unfamiliar to both Chawrasia and Lahiri but the 38-year-old Kolkata golfer said they would reach there four-five days in advance. “Three to four days of practice is enough to get a knack of the course. Conditions would not be much harsh as well,” Chawrasia said.
Chawrasia scored a five-over 149 in the European Tour event in Inverness, UK to finish 101, something he would like to forget fast.