It’s not sunk in. This was the only time that I went into the 18th hole behind as Rashid finished ahead of me and made birdie. The last couple of times I played that hole, I was either ahead r tied for the lead. I’m still in disbelief that I made the putt in regulation and got into the playoff. After that, in the next 15 minutes, I didn’t know what happened. Unfortunately for Rashid, it didn’t work out. I feel bad for him as he doesn’t have a card on the Asian Tour. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

FEELS GREAT WINNINING HERE AGAIN

I feel great winning here again. I thought I was running through my shots. On the last putt, I think I was much quicker than what I would be. Even in regulation play over the 10 footer, I took my time and decided what I wanted to do. I just made the stroke. We were just saying that even if I wasn’t meditating as much as I like, I felt like I drew into that today. Despite the whole round being up and down and tight, I think this is the calmest I’ve ever been in the same situation.

I was standing on the fairway as Khalin had to take a relief. We were standing for a good seven or eight minutes. My caddie and were talking and he said we should have hit a three iron on the 16th hole and should have done this. I looked at him and told him that you have to shut up and said we needed to think positive right now and shouldn’t be telling me my mistakes and telling me what I should do now. Then he said let’s hit it close and make the putt and get into the play-off. That’s the point where I started focusing on what I needed to do. I hit a good shot and walked up and made a good putt and got into the playoff. Once I got into the playoff I felt I had the upper hand. Rashid lost the toss and I decided to go first as I would normally do. Then hit a terrible second shot but I’m fortunate that it ended well for me.
 

PATIENCE PAID OFF

There was a phase where I couldn’t close out tournaments and there was a phase where I could close out tournaments. I finished second a few times last year. I guess it comes and goes. If I can keep doing what I need to do with my mind and my game, the results will come. I needed to be patient. I decided early on in the first day when I shot one under with 35 putts. I just told myself to be patient and I’m glad that it paid off.

After both of us hit our approach shots, it was clear that nobody was making eagle. It would have been an advantage for Rashid if he had put it to three or four feet. I would have been under serious pressure. When he hit it to 15 feet, I knew it wasn’t an easy putt for him as it was his first play off on the Asian Tour and he would be nervous. When I saw that, I knew it was an opportunity for me and if I put it close, it puts pressure on him. I hit a good chip and luckily I had a simple four footer. I took as little time as possible as just go and hit the putt as I saw the putt.


PRESSURE WAS TREMENDOUS

The most pressure was in the third shot in regulation. I had 126 yards and hit a pitching wedge, a knocked down wedge. I saw Rashid put it dead for birdie and I knew I had to take three shots of less from here to have an outside chance. The pressure was tremendous at that time when I hit my second shot.

The Indian leg is now turning out to be crucial as it’s early in the year. If you get off to a good start, like Prom last year and he had a great season finishing up. It’s important to get off to a good start in the Indian swing. I’m looking forward to playing well as Jaypee Greens is one of my favourite courses.

FOCUS IS TO PLAY WELL IN BIGGER TOURNEYS

It’s been fantastic. I need to sit down with my parents and friends and they can abuse me and keep me grounded. I have to be thankful how things have worked out for me. A lot of people say I’ve done great but there are others who have worked hard as well. Siddikur has done so well in the past four years and a lot of guys out there deserve to win. Any win for me is a gift. I’m just grateful that it has happened to me. It’s back to the grind for me. My focus is to play well in the bigger events and try to break through. I’m going to be focused on that.

The first win was special as it was in a three way playoff and against Manav as well. That was a very crucial point in my career, that first win. I’ve played the 18th hole I don’t know how many times now, probably 24 times, three extra times. It’s been nice to me. I’ve birdied it five times this week.

WE NEED WINS TO GET BETTER

There’s a need to win always to get better. There’s a need to perform on every surface on every tour and on every condition. I said this last year as well. A lot of people ask me questions if I can play abroad and yes I feel I can win abroad as well. It is just a matter of the 72 holes coming together and some luck as well. I’m hoping to win outside of India this year but I won’t mind if I win in India again. Hopefully it will come.

I spoke to my dad yesterday and he said he liked my attitude this week. He is my biggest critic and for him to say something nice was strange. He’s always pushed me on by pointing out my mistakes. He said you’ve been relaxed and positive. So he said to keep it that way. I understood what he was trying to say as I felt really calm and composed. When I went out there, I obviously wanted to win but my focus was to play good golf.

HOPE TO PLAY THE MAJORS SOON

Ultimately you want to play on the highest tour and play in the biggest events and the Majors. Hopefully it will be my year this year but this year, I’m better prepared mentally. Game wise, the work will carry on. It’s a work in progress. Hopefully I can convert.

I’m amazed at the way the young guys are playing. It’s a big stage. My first few years on the Asian Tour, I struggled. The guts and ability that the young guys like Rashid and Khalid are showing it’s phenomenal. I wasn’t that good when I was their age. They are five years younger than me and I feel like an old man. It’s fantastic for Indian golf. I think it’s great.