High on confidence

An early win gives rookie Shiv Kapur the right start to his pro career

A few weeks ago, when Shiv Kapur after returning from Purdue University in the United States, had just announced his decision to turn pro, his goal was to try and notch a win in his rookie year, as he divided his time between the Indian and Asian Tours.

Last week, Shiv Kapur, just 22, in only his third start as a pro, won his first title at the Amby Valley MGC Open in Chennai.

"Frankly, I wanted to win in the season, but I did not think it would come so early. Now that it has, I want to try and win more and see if I can do that on the Asian Tour, too," he says while still being undecided on whether or not to go to Bangalore for another Indian Tour event.

"I did not get into the Asian Tour event in Taiwan (Mercuries Masters) so I stayed back in Delhi, but maybe I will go and play the event in Bangalore next week," adds Kapur, who in 2002 won the Asian Games gold medal at Busan, South Korea.

"It was a little difficult to adjust to the greens. The pace, the grains. But I managed quite okay and am confident. I have played in all kinds of weather, even in Alaska. In rain, in snow and in heat. And then, I am an Indian, so am used to this weather," he adds laughing, while talking about his win in Chennai.

A win so early in the season, gives Kapur the freedom to change his goals. He laughs, and says, "It is nice. Now I want to win more and I know I can do it. Even on the Asian Tour."

Kapur's plan is to play Asian Tour events this year and he hopes to get a few more starts. "I want to do well and maybe even win. That will ensure me a card, since I will not get an Order of Merit position, as I would not have played enough events. So only a win will get me a card for the next and that's my goal," he adds.

He has ambitious plans. "I want to spend a year on the Asian Tour and then give the US a shot. I know I am only learning right now, but inside me, I know I can make it to the US PGA and do well."

Going back a little, Kapur has played golf since the age of nine. Back from the US after completing college in Purdue University, where he combined academics with golf, Kapur took the big plunge, by turning pro.

Adjudged the best in his college, Kapur's big moment came when he won the gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games, the first by an Indian in 20 years. No sooner had he returned home, he declared his intentions to turn professional.

He was rewarded with a start at the Tianjin TEDA Open in China and he duly made the cut. A good start indeed. A start that he built on in the Indian PGA Tour, by making the cut at the season-opener in Chennai and finishing tied 15th. The following week, he blazed his way to the title, pipping a veteran like Mukesh Kumar in the process.

The Majors, like it is for all pros, is his goal. Even as an amateur, Kapur came close to playing the US Open this year. He came through the local qualifiers and in the sectionals he was just one place off and was made alternate.

He did get invited to Shinnecock Hills and was allowed to practise, where he watched Davis Love and Fred Couples standing right next to me. "It was a great atmosphere. There were so many stars, kids asking for autographs. I actually signed a few. It was a superb feeling," he says proudly.

"I felt I belonged there. I want to be back. I want to play the Majors," says Kapur, who ultimately did not get in because there were no pullouts to facilitate that.

"I was quite disappointed at not being able to tee up. But that's the way it was. I took a flight back. I didn't actually watch the Open till the last few holes."

On his pro debut in China, Kapur played four rounds in two-under 272, including three under-par rounds. "On the final day," he says, "I played well over my last nine holes and that leaves a good taste in my mouth. Shooting a 32 on a windy day was good. But I know there is room for improvement."

With rounds of 73, 69, 70 and 70, he finished tied for 35th and took home his first cheque, of $1,460. The amount was not important, the fact that he had acquitted himself was.

A great fan of Sachin Tendulkar, Kapur when asked about his favourite golfer would like to be a bit of everyone: like Arjun Atwal for ball striking, like Gaurav Ghei in short game and like Daniel Chopra in terms of bunker play. And what he does not add, but is surely for all to see, be confident like Shiv Kapur. And, Shiv Kapur, if he can be just Shiv Kapur, will be formidable.