Bhullar makes steady start at new event in Saudi Arabia

By Rahul Banerji

Early starter Gaganjeet Bhullar was one-under after his first nine holes as play began at the $3.5 million Saudi International, a new event added to the West Asia swing of the European Tour, at the King Abdullah Economic City in the desert kingdom.

While the field is a top-heavy one, participants have come in for a fair amount of political flak for being part of the event but with the world’s top three in the draw, the focus has pretty much shifted back to the golf.

Bhullar had one bogey on his outward nine but recovered well enough by picking up two shots even as English journeyman Alfie Plant set a sizzling pace at the top with seven birdies in his first nine holes. World no. 1 Justin Rose and no. 2 Brooks Koepka were two under in the early stages of their run.

More in the fray

Meanwhile,Shubhankar Sharma, and Rayhan Thomas are the other Indian entrants in the field that has the world’s top three, including Dustin Johnson, in the mix. At the moment, the Dubai-based Thomas is world ranked 16 among amateurs and his progress is being keenly watched by those in the know.

Rose flew into Saudi Arabia straight from California after winning the Farmer’s Insurance Open, his 10^th PGA Tour title, while Bryson DeChambeau is also in the frame after his massive win at the Omega Desert Classic in Dubai last week.

For Bhullar and Sharma though, the first task at hand is to break into the top 100, as they are currently 137 and 115 respectively. Said Sharma ahead of his round, “Playing in the same events as the world’s best is what we all want and it is indeed rare to get a chance outside of the Majors or the WGCs. So I really relish the prospect of being here this week.

Looking for better

“Last week (in Dubai) was alright, but I could have done way better, so hopefully I can make up this week.”

Sharma, who will be appearing at the WGC-Mexico next after a tied ninth place finish last year, added, “Last year I played on new courses most of the time because I had never played most events in Europe or the US.

“This year I will get to play many of them again. But for now, a big purse event is welcome, as I want to do well and get my rankings up again.”

For his part, Bhullar too sounded a positive note. “The 16-17-18 sequence reminds me of the course in Fiji where I won the Fiji International. I am feeling good and and this year am looking to play as much as I can and in as many places.”

Thomas, who missed the cut in Dubai, will be looking for better to push him up the rankings and into the top 10, which no Indian has achieved yet.

Also read: Indian pair stays afloat while Ernie Els rolls back the years in Dubai