An in-form Gaganjeet Bhullar of India will headline the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open from November 17 to 20 with the aim of winning the event for a second time in his career.
The 28-year-old won the prestigious showpiece in 2013 for his fifth Asian Tour title but went through a title drought because of a wrist injury. He returned to his best form when he triumphed in Korea last month and will be the top contender in Indonesia.
Bhullar will challenge for the prestigious BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open title against a stellar line-up which includes new Asian Tour winner Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand and veteran Singaporean Mardan Mamat at the US$300,000 event.
Asian Tour winners Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, Himmat Rai of India and Richard T. Lee of Canada will also feature in the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open.
A total of 20 local players, led by George Gandranata and Danny Masrin, will also aim to become the first Indonesian golfer after Kasiadi to win the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open which is staged at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.
Bhullar has a strong affinity with Indonesia, the country where he won his first Asian Tour title in 2009 before going on to sweep five other titles. He was regarded as one of the rising stars in golf before his injury setback.
âIt was very important for me to win. I lost my card in Europe and I was struggling and feeling low in life. It was hard and I felt lonely at times because some of my friends continued to play in Europe,â lamented Bhullar.
Like a true champion he bounced back in sensational style when he clinched the Shinhan Donghae Open title by one shot before going on to secure a fifth place finish at the Indonesian Masters in the following week.
âIâm from a sporting family so we have a moto to never say die. I gave it my all when I was playing in tournaments after the injury. At the end of the day, you have to believe in your hard work and Iâm proud of myself and it is good to be back in the winnersâ circle,â said Bhullar.
The BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open is one of the finest golf championships in Asia where top stars such as Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Padraig Harrington have won the tournament in the past.
