Champion on home turf

Gaurav Kanthwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20

It was a proud moment for the parents of golfer Ajeetesh Sandhu as he won the title in a photo-finish on the final day of the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational. 

The 31-year-old bagged his fourth title on PGTI and fifth overall in a sensational playoff at the Chandigarh Golf Course. However, it is only the first major title for the Chandigarh golfer at his home. “It is a proud moment for us to see our son Ajeetesh win the title at home. Though he is an international golfer, still winning in front of one’s home crowd is a different feeling,” said his father, SMS Sandhu.” Sandhu had finished 24th in the tournament last year.

Currently ranked 15th on the Asian Tour money list, the highest among Indian golfers, Sandhu has had a phenomenal year with two top-3 finishes on the Asian Tour till now, with a second place in Taiwan recently. Sandhu finished third in the Panasonic Open in 2018. In 2017, he had clinched the Yeangder TPC title and the Taiyeho Club Challenge Tournament in Saitama, Japan. 

Despite his success, Sandhu has no sponsor to back him financially. But with recent string of successes, it looks like it is just a matter of time before he gets backing. “He has been doing well for last four-five years and earning well. A Japanese company, PING, does support him partially but it also depends on his performance,” said Sandhu Senior. Sandhu turned pro at the age of 19 but has found his bearings in the last four-five years after doing well on the Asian Tour, particularly in Japan. Next on the cards for him is the qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. 

A cool, composed mind is one of the biggest assets of Sandhu, and Sunday saw this attribute bail him out after trailing in the last stages of the tournament. “His caddie Surya Prakash from Delhi too has been a big support for him,” said SMS Sandhu.