Golfer Shiv Kapur may have been tired after the tension of last week but there was also a feeling of satisfaction of having achieved what he had set out for.
Needing to finish top-3 to make his European Tour, Kapur outclassed the field at the Dubai Festival City Challenge by four shots to win his second title of the year and also earn his 2014 European Tour card.
While Kapur is the toast of the Indian contingent this week, the others include PGA Tour winner Michael Thompson, European Tour winner Robert Rock, Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri and a host of others including Jbe Kruger, Jonathan Moore and Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand.
"It was a tiring week. It was mentally exhausting but it was satisfying to win. I'm coming into this week with a lot of confidence. I just need to get my energy levels back. This is my home course and I want to do well here," said Kapur ahead of the 50th Indian Open to be played at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) from Thursday.
"Every year I keeping telling everyone that it is always my dream to win the Indian Open. It is the fifth Major for all of us and I would love to win it, more so because it is held at the DGC. The Indian Open being in its 50th year makes it more special. The fact that I'm coming with a little bit of form will help my chances. It will mean a lot more than winning last week," added Kapur, who was fourth in the 2012 edition in Bangalore.
"It was back in 2000 when I won the low amateur and I came close last year. I had a few chances. Most of the time I've been coming from behind and trying to close the gap. Hopefully this time around, I can get off and running early so I'm not trying to make up the deficit."
He went on to say: "Winning last week is the freshest highlight so far this season but leading at The Open was a high point in the year. Hopefully I can say that winning the Indian Open is the highlight of my year."
While the Indian challenge may be spearheaded by Kapur, the others cannot be taken lightly. Bhullar, Lahiri and Chiragh Kumar are all players who can strike it big this week. Also in the field is Atwal, the first Indian to win on the PGA Tour.
