New pro on the block

Twenty-two-year-old Shiv Kapur is all set to make his professional debut

At first glance, Shiv Kapur might look like any other youngster visiting the Delhi Golf Club to hit the ball for a lark at the driving range. But the quick first impression might be a mistake. He's an ambitious man and determined to make it to the big league.

Tall and well built, Kapur has a confident walk and terrific shot-making abilities. The 22-year-old has been playing at the Delhi Golf Club since the age of nine and is now all set to make his pro debut at the Tianjin TEDA Open in China next week.

Back from the US after completing college in Purdue University, where he kept up with his golf practice, Kapur is ready to take the plunge. He even submitted a letter to the Professional Golfers Association of India, stating his intentions of turning pro once he returns to India.

Kapur, a talented golfer gave indication of his talent in the amateur division two years ago when he won gold in the Asian Games in Busan, Korea.

Kapur has come a long way from the time his friends teased him about playing a "sissy" game. "In school, I loved playing cricket (Sachin Tendulkar is his favourite) and I still enjoy watching it. But I played a lot of golf. Those days, golf was not a big sport. My friends considered it as an old man's sport. Not much attention was paid to golf."

And then with a hearty laugh, he adds, "Now some of the same friends want me to teach them golf. It has become a big sport and helps in socialising too."

By the time Kapur finished school, he knew he wanted to turn pro. But the desire to play at the Asian Games held him back. After school, he decided to pursue his studies abroad and play golf at the same time.

Helping him choose a college was Ross Bain, a pro golfer, whom Kapur met through another golfer called Rahul Raj. Kapur finally decided on Purdue University, which had a good coach in Devon Brouse. In the past, Brouse has worked with Davis Love III and Tim Herron, among others.

Kapur's high point as an amateur came during the Asian Games. "I had seen and heard about the likes of Gaurav Ghei, Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa playing at the Asian Games. Then I saw Harmeet Kahlon delaying turning pro just to play in the Asian Games. For me, the thrill of representing India was too much. I had done that as a junior and now I wanted to do that in the Asian Games," he says.

And the dream of playing for India came true. "First I was thrilled at going to the Asian Games and then having qualified, I wanted to win. In Korea, I was doing pretty okay after three days and had the chance. On the final day, when my room mate Manav and I woke up, it was raining. It was miserable weather. He grimaced and I almost smiled. I was tied for lead with Sri Lanka's Anura Rohana. I knew in difficult conditions, I would have the advantage. I had played in tough conditions in the US and I was able to handle it with some aggressive putting on soft and slow greens. When the gold medal was finally awarded, it was the finest moment of my career."

As for his future plans, Kapur is confident that he can get to the US Tour in a matter of two to three years. "I want to play Asian Tour events this year. I want to play well and maybe even win. I am also going to Qualifying School for the European Tour. But my main aim is the US PGA Tour. I think, I'll be there in two to three years," said the young lad, who almost got a berth into the US Open through the regional and sectional qualification system.

When asked whether it was too too soon to dream of US Tour, he replied confidently, "Yes, but I think I can do it. I have played there in all kinds of courses and I did well at the collegiate level. Now, I know I can make it to the US PGA and do well there too."