The seven-member Indian golf staff, comprising the likes of Anirban Lahiri and Aditi Ashok, shall be hoping to hold ahead its current very good type when the occasion commences on the Asian Video games on Thursday. Lahiri shall be main an skilled set of Indian golfers together with Shubhankar Sharma, Khalin Joshi and SSP Chawrasia, whereas the ladies’s staff has the likes of Olympian Aditi, Pranavi Urs and Avani Prashanth. Whereas Lahiri and Sharma have been given computerized berths within the males’s part, Aditi has been given the identical honour amongst ladies.
(Asian Video games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Video games 2023 Full Schedule)
Joshi and Chawrasia amongst males and Pranavi and Avani in ladies got here by way of the qualifiers carried out for amateurs and professionals by the Indian Golf Union (IGU).
Lahiri, the one one on this group to have received a medal on the Asian Video games, did so approach again in 2006 when he clinched a staff silver as an newbie.
“That was an incredible feeling,” he recalled.
He mentioned, “For me, it is rather thrilling; clearly to have the chance to play once more within the Asian Video games. It is an excellent honour to symbolize the nation. It’s clearly one thing I cherish and sit up for.
“This does not come round fairly often. So it is at all times a really, crucial occasion for me personally. I’m trying ahead to spending time with the staff. I do not actually know a few of them very properly.
“As for my colleagues within the males’s staff, SSP (Chawrasia) is a really expensive good friend. We have executed Olympics (2016) collectively. Shubhankar and I are very, very shut and we’ve performed rather a lot collectively. I believe it is going to be a brand new expertise for Khalin (Joshi).
“So, sure, all of us are trying ahead to it and nothing shall be higher for golf in India than if we will deliver again some medals.” The senior-most participant within the golf contingent, who has performed two Olympic Video games — 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo –, added, “All of us, each the ladies and the boys, are a powerful staff. We now have some people who find themselves in good type. And I believe that is vital heading into occasions like this.
Lahiri has a string of top-3 performances on the LIV Tour and likewise the Worldwide Sequence on the Asian Tour, whereas Sharma notched a top-10 end on the 2023 British Open, which is the most effective ever on the occasion by an Indian.
“Yeah, I believe we will deliver again just a few medals. I say just a few as a result of I believe we’ve an excellent likelihood in all 4 occasions, the people and staff, in each women and men. That is what we shall be ,” mentioned Lahiri.
Chawrasia, who has six titles as a professional from the Asian and European Excursions, was Lahiri’s teammate on the Rio Olympics, however this shall be his first Asian Video games.
Sharma, who missed out on making the staff to the 2010 Asian Video games, turned skilled a few years later. He shall be representing India for the primary time in a multi-discipline occasion.
His good friend from his junior days, Khalin Joshi, may even be making his Asian Video games debut.
Aditi Ashok has been in nice type on the Women European Tour, the place she received the Kenya Women Open and is true now fourth on the Order of Benefit. She has additionally been very constant on the world’s strongest Tour, the Women PGA (LPGA) Tour.
Aditi mentioned, “I’ve had a great season thus far and am excited to play the Asian Video games. It is a good feeling to be residence throughout the mid-season for a change and prepare for the Video games. I have been coaching exhausting and dealing on all facets of my recreation.
Aditi performed on the 2014 Asian Video games as an newbie after which the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. In 2020 Tokyo, she completed fourth and had the entire nation glued to the competitors on TV.
“I am fortunate to have had the chance to play in Incheon 2014 as an newbie and this time as knowledgeable. Hopefully, I can put collectively 4 good rounds in Hangzhou,” she added.
Pranavi has been taking part in on the Epson Tour, the second-level Tour within the US, whereas Avani Prashanth, the one newbie within the squad, received the distinguished Queen Sirikit Cup in Manila this 12 months. She additionally received a professional occasion in Europe, whereas nonetheless being an newbie.
The competitors shall be performed over 4 rounds.
Indian staff — Males: Khalin Joshi, Shubhankar Sharma, SSP Chawrasia, Anirban Lahiri; Ladies: Aditi Ashok, Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth.
India’s golf medallists at previous Asian Video games: 1982 Delhi: Lakshman Singh (Gold Particular person); Group Gold (Lakshman Singh, Rajiv Mohta, Rishi Narain, and Amit Luthra); 2002 Busan: Shiv Kapur (Gold Particular person); 2006 Doha: Silver Group (Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Joseph Chakola and Chiragh Kumar); 2010 Guangzhou: Silver Group (Rashid Khan, Rahul Bajaj, Abhijeet Singh Chaddha and Abhinav Lohan).
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