Published July 17, 2008 on March 3, 2018

Joshi Maps Out Game Plan for the Hero Indian Open

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Rising Indian star Khalin Joshi plans to adopt a more patient approach when he contends at the US$1.75 million Hero Indian Open next week.

The 25-year-old Joshi, who enjoyed a commendable top-10 finish at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last month, will keep things simple at the challenging Gary Player designed DLF Golf and Country Club from March 8 to 11.

“Par is going to be your friend. The Gary Player-designed course at DLF Golf and Country Club is a real test of patience and everyone is bound to make some mistakes. Some holes are really challenging and they demand great golf shots,” said Joshi.

The Bengaluru native will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of his close friend Shubhankar Sharma, who sensationally won the Maybank Championship and is currently leading the Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity Standings and Race to Dubai.

Joshi is fired up to win his first Asian Tour title at the Hero Indian Open after successfully retaining his Tour card for the 2019 season.

With the pressure off his chest, the young Indian hopes to keep a cool head in the heat of battle at his National Open which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

“I can get a bit carried away after a bad hole, but I’ve learned to deal with my emotions better. I missed the cut in 2016 and 2017, but I’m back with a vengeance! I’ve never felt better going into the tournament and I hope to be in contention come Sunday,” he said.

The 54^th edition of the Hero Indian Open will feature an elite 144-man field that includes five Asian Tour Order of Merit winners, more than 40 Asian Tour champions, as well as a bevy of international names.

Top contenders from Asia’s premier circuit such as Australia’s Scott Hend and India’s Anirban Lahiri, Order of Merit winners in 2016 and 2015 respectively, will tee it up alongside Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn of Denmark, crowd favourite Andrew Johnston of England and 2016 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Emiliano Grillo of Argentina.

The last two editions of the Hero Indian Open was won by S.S.P. Chawrasia of India. The six-time Asian Tour winner will be attempting to be the first golfer in the tournament’s 54-year history to lift the trophy three consecutive times.