Madappa, Rashid rode putting form into Asian Games squad

By Rahul Banerji

Viraj Madappa and Rashid Khan owed it to solid putting as they booked the two available berths in the Indian men’s team in Bangalore on Saturday for the upcoming Asian Games.

They join Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma in the four-member team bound for the 19^th Asian Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from September 10 to 25 this year.

While Rashid is already an Asiad medallist, it will be a first Games appearance for Madappa, the PGTI said.

The 24-year-old rounded off a brilliant week with cards of 66, 68, 71, 69 and 67 to top the leaderboard on 18-under 270 in the 16-man field.

The four best scores out of five were taken into account.

Kolkata-based Madappa, who at age 20 became India’s youngest ever winner on the international stage back in 2018, fired seven birdies and a double-bogey in round five.

Viraj said, “I was confident at the start of the week as I was playing well coming into this event.

Second home

“To add to that KGA has also been a second home for me since I’ve played a lot over here in recent years.

“My driving was the best aspect of my game this week. I drove it well on all days and thus created a lot of scoring opportunities for myself.

“On Saturday, I putted really well making 10 to 15 feet conversions on three occasions. My goal was a five-day total of 20-under even though I fell just short of it.

“It’s a great honour to have the opportunity to represent India as a professional for the first time.

“I’m super excited and look forward to having the experience of being part of an Indian contingent and staying at the Games Village.”

Thirty-one-year-old Rashid Khan (68-73-67-66-71) shot a solid 71 on Saturday to finish second at the trials on 16-under 272.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid, who capitalised on a hot putter during the week, made three birdies and two bogeys in round five.

Delhi-based Khan returns to the Games 12 years after winning team silver at the 2010 Guangzhou Games along with Rahul Bajaj, Abhijit Singh Chadha, and Abhinav Lohan.

Rashid said, “I was struggling with my putting prior to this event. But I was glad to get my putting form back this week.

Good memories

“Made a lot of good putts this week and converted most of my opportunities on the greens.

“I have great memories of the Asian Games when I went there as an amateur and won a silver medal back in 2010. It’s great to be heading back to the event as a professional this time around.”  

Lahiri is also a Games medallist, winning team silver at the 2006 Doha Games alongside Gaganjeet Bhullar, Joseph Chakola and Chirag Kumar.

Lakshman Singh (1982, New Delhi) and Shiv Kapur (2002, Busan) remain India’s only individual gold medallists, while Rajiv Mohta took silver behind Singh in 1982.

India have not figured on the Asian Games medal tally in golf after Guangzhou in 2010.

Also read: Madappa, Rashid make Asiad cut; Avani completes women’s squad