Seven Indian golfers will be competing in the annual Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships with hopes of earning a coveted spot in the Augusta Masters and the Open Championships. The tournament, which features players from 37 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation member organizations, offers the winner an opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best golfers in these prestigious events.
Headlining the Indian contingent is 13-year-old Kartik Singh, the highest world-ranked Indian golfer in the team. The rest of the team consists of Shubham Jaglan, Krishnav Nikhil Chopra, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Yuvraj Singh, Raghav Chugh, and Vedant Sirohi. While some players like Jaglan, Chopra, and Bhattacharya have previous experience in the championship, Singh, Singh, Chugh, and Sirohi will be making their debut.
Jaglan, who finished Tied 11th in his previous appearance in 2021, expressed his excitement for the tournament, highlighting the exceptional prizes on offer. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships is known for its incredible organization by Augusta National and the R&A, making it a standout event for aspiring golfers in the region.
Accompanying Kartik Singh is his father, Dhananjay Singh, a former Naval officer. Dhananjay believes that these experiences will tremendously benefit his son’s progress in golf. Kartik, who trains at the DLF Golf Academy, is coached by Deepinder Khullar, a coach known for nurturing young talent. Kartik has showcased his skills in various domestic and international events, including US Kids Golf, US Junior Amateurs, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Jaglan, currently playing college golf with the University of South Florida, has aspirations of turning pro after completing college. Chugh has recently achieved some impressive finishes in college golf tournaments, while Chopra has garnered attention with his victories in junior events in India. Sirohi, with a series of top-10 finishes, is also a promising player on the team.
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships has seen notable past winners and competitors, including Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, and Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open champion. This year’s field features top players like Japan’s Yuta Sugiura, China’s Wenyi Ding, New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori, and China’s Bo Jin, the 2022 runner-up.
With the tournament in its 14th edition, Indian golfers are aiming to surpass their previous best performance of a second-place finish by Rayhan Thomas in 2018. Unfortunately, Thomas had to withdraw this year due to a hand injury.
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships promise to be an incredible showcase of talent and determination as these Indian golfers strive for a chance to compete at the highest level alongside golf’s elite in the Augusta Masters and the Open Championships.
