Wiser in experience and stronger in technique, Indian golfer SSP Chowrasia says his confidence is quite high now and that alone would be enough to bring out the best in him when he aims for a second title triumph at the upcoming Avantha Masters.
Chowrasia became the first Indian to win a European Tour event on home soil - and only the third, after Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh, to win one anywhere - when he captured the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters title in 2008.
It was a real rags-to-riches tale for the self-taught 34-year-old, who used to sneak onto the course at night to play a few holes at Royal Calcutta Golf Club, where his father was a greenkeeper.
Three years later, thanks chiefly to his razor sharp short game - which earned him the nickname "Chipputtsia" - he repeated the feat in the Avantha Masters, sparking jubilant scenes at DLF Golf & Country Club.
Chowrasia will go in search of a hat-trick of European Tour titles when the fourth edition of the euro 1.8 million event takes place at Jaypee Greens here.
"I'm very excited about playing the Avantha Masters - I'm sure the tournament will be a great success. It's the one all the Indian players want to win, and hopefully I can come out on top again," Chowrasia said.
"I've played Jaypee Greens many times, so I know what to expect. The fairways are quite wide, so unless the rough is very thick I think the scoring will be quite low. There is also a Golf Academy there which has a great driving range and practice facilities for the amateurs and us pros, so it's a great venue for the tournament.
