Bhullar finds self-belief after top-20 at HSBC Champions

gaganjeet-bhullar-hsbcDongguan, China: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar wrapped up his campaign at the WGC-HSBC Champions with a top-20 finish on Sunday and believes he now knows what separates himself from the world-class names and a potential Major championship.
 
The talented 24-year-old failed to replicate his third round’s fireworks when he closed with a level par 72, nine shots more than Saturday’s card to earn US$75,000 for tied 18th place but what he will take home would be far more valuable.
 
Last week, Bhullar finished joint 10th in the co-sanctioned Asian Tour and PGA Tour tournament in Malaysia and the Indian said the key difference from winning at the highest level was simply self-belief.
 
“I think it’s self-belief. It’s the only difference. Today and the past few weeks, I’ve been playing with the PGA Tour players and I’ve been pumping my three woods past their drivers. Obviously, length is not an issue but the mental belief. If I play more and more in these events, one fine day, I’ll wake up with the self belief and win a Major,” said Bhullar, who finished nine shots behind winner Ian Poulter.
 
Unlike yesterday’s round when he took only 21 putts, Bhullar struggled to hole anything on the Olazabal course at Mission Hills Golf Club, taking 32 putts.
 
“Today and yesterday’s round wasn’t that much of a difference. I had some good luck bounces yesterday but today I was pretty flat. I hit 15 greens in regulations and made some good up and downs. It was one of those easy-going rounds, fairway, greens and two putt. It would have been much better if I holed those 15, 20 footer putts,” said Bhullar, who is currently fifth on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
 
“I had so many opportunities from the middle of the fairway on the par fives but it wasn’t enough. I was aiming for 64 but I did not even come close. That’s golf. I’ve got to forget about everything and move on to Singapore. Hopefully I’ll try to do what I did in the third round.”
 
He reckons the lessons of the past two weeks will put him to good stead as he chases for more silverware on the Asian Tour after winning twice in the past two months in Macau and Chinese Taipei.
 
“A lot of things to learn … today was a quiet day. These are the things that you can learn to move on to the next level. I have picked up a lot of patience in my game which is the reason why my game has gradually improved,” he said.
 
Countryman Jeev Milkha Singh closed with a 71 to finish tied 46th on 287.

 

By Indian Sports News Network

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