Published July 17, 2008 on May 7, 2018

Bhullar is Back in the Spotlight

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Gaganjeet Bhullar’s fine performance at the 37th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship reminded everybody of his outstanding credentials.

The 30-year-old Indian is one of only four golfers in the field to break par at the challenging Nam Seoul Country Club. He compiled a four-day total of one-under-par 283 to get into a playoff with Yikeun Chang, Junggon Hwang, and Sanghyun Park but was edged out after the first extra hole. Nevertheless, he is happy with his game that led to a tied-second placing, his highest finish in 2018 so far.

“I gave my 100 per cent and I played really well, especially the last 36 holes. I was steady and gave myself plenty of opportunities in the final round,” said Bhullar.

Bhullar made history last year by becoming the youngest ever golfer to win eight titles on the Asian Tour. He achieved the feat with a stunning wire-to-wire victory in Macau last year. Earlier in 2018, Bhullar missed the cut at three consecutive tournaments following the Maybank Championship but has bounced back magnificently with a steely display in Korea.

Following the 37th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship, Bhullar earned a prize cheque of US$75,473.35 to ascend 19 places to 10th on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.

Also making a significant move on the merit list is Chang of South Korea. He is now 13th on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, up 31 places from 44th.

The 24-year-old has been a model of consistency in 2017, missing the cut only twice in eleven starts.  He narrowly missed out on winning his maiden Asian Tour title after his playoff loss to the eventual winner, Park, at the third extra hole.

“I’m disappointed as I missed a couple of important putts today, but I believe I’ll bounce back. Second place is not too bad and I could have won the tournament if I had not made too many mistakes. I’ll learn from it and improve,” said Chang.

The leading three places on the Habitat for Humanity Standings remain unchanged. Shubhankar Sharma of India stays on top with his current earnings of US$589,575. Englishman Matt Wallace (US$446,660) is second, while Indian Rahil Gangjee (US$283,018.87) is in third place.

The Asian Tour will travel to Bangladesh this week for the US$300,000 AB Bank Bangladesh Open. The event, played at the Kurmitola Golf Club, is the country’s National Open and it will be headlined by 18 Tour winners.

Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings

Pos        Player   Order of Merit (US$)

1. 1.  Shubhankar SHARMA   (IND)    589,575
   2.    Matt WALLACE   (ENG)    446,660
   3.    Rahil GANGJEE   (IND)    283,018.87
   4.    Kiradech APHIBARNRAT   (THA)    265,573.14
   5.    SihwanKIM  (USA)    226,710.14
   6.    Paul PETERSON   (USA)    215,758.57
   7.    Daniel NISBET   (AUS)    150,863.64
   8.    Scott VINCENT   (ZIM)    145,208.76
   9.    Berry HENSON   (USA)    131,983.57
   10.    Gaganjeet BHULLAR   (IND)    131,214.35
   11.    Hideto TANIHARA   (JPN)    123,306.08
   12.    Shaun NORRIS   (RSA)    118,284.91
   13.    Yikeun CHANG   (KOR)    110,826.17
   14.    Khalin JOSHI   (IND)    109,730
   15.    Jazz JANEWATTANANOND   (THA)    108,596.69
   16.    Terry PILKADARIS   (AUS)    105,907.84
   17.    Prom MEESAWAT   (THA)    100,469.67
   18.    Masahiro KAWAMURA   (JPN)    97,643.15
   19.    Jeunghun WANG   (KOR)    91,100
   20.    Rattanon WANNASRICHAN   (THA)    89,773.02