Rising star Rashid Khan is planning another title assault at the $300,000 Panasonic Open India, seven months after claiming a 'life changing' first Asian Tour victory at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).
However, he will face strong challenges from the Asian Tour stars and talented Indian luminaries who include 2002 Order of Merit champion Jyoti Randhawa, Chiragh Kumar and two-time Asian Tour winner S.S.P. Chowrasia.
Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, a two-time Asian Tour No.1, Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman and defending champion Wade Ormsby of Australia will also feature in the elite field Nov 6-9.
Khan came close to winning on the Asian Tour on numerous occasions before finally sealing the deal with a play-off win over Siddikur at the DGC in March. The 23-year-old now aims to follow compatriots Anirban Lahiri and Digvijay Singh by winning the Panasonic Open India.
"The win was a life changer. I'm getting into all the tournaments on the Asian Tour and competing with all the players and gaining experience. Good to play on different courses where I've never been to. I've played in places like Switzerland, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia and I'm getting a chance to be exposed to many different types of courses," said Khan.
"It's been a great year. I'm still in a learning mode and this is the time where I have to learn and become better, especially when I've not played on all these courses. I'll be pretty confident when I play in a tournament for the second time."
While he has been enjoying his Asian adventure by travelling to new countries, Khan will have no issues when he returns to the tree-lined DGC.
"DGC is like a second home for me and it's pretty close to my house as well. The biggest advantage is that it's on my home course. All the top Indians have won at DGC, Anirban has won it there three times and Digvijay won there and I've won there. Everyone is excited to play the Panasonic Open India," said Khan.