India’s Chikkarangappa S. hopes to turn his season around when he contends at the US$300,000 TAKE Solutions Masters on his favourite hunting ground early next month.
After a slow start to the season where he made only three cuts in nine starts, Chikkarangappa is determined to bounce back and relive his winning memories at the TAKE Solutions Masters which will take place for the first time on the region’s premier Tour from August 3 to 6.
The talented Indian won the event twice when it was staged as an Asian Development Tour (ADT) event in 2014 and 2015. He will be aiming for a repeat victory, albeit on a different course, at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) Golf Course, located in his hometown of Bengaluru.
“It is a good thing for all the players and the sponsor because the event has been upgraded from the ADT to the Asian Tour. For me, playing in your home event and in front of the home crowd will be a special thing,” said the 23-year-old Chikkarangappa.
“The TAKE Solutions Masters is a very special event for me because I started to move up on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) when I won the events on the ADT. Now I have a chance to challenge for my first win on the Asian Tour and I’m really looking forward to it,” he added.
He produced a gutsy display of golf when he won the TAKE Solutions Masters in 2014 and 2015. In the first year, he overcame a six-shot deficit to lift the trophy and in the following year, he defeated another rising star Shubhankar Sharma on the first play-off hole.
“There will be pressure for the home boy to perform but when I won, it was in the same situation. Playing and winning in the events have come at pressure moments and I like having that feeling. I perform and play better when I’m under pressure,” said Chikkarangappa.
The Indian enjoyed a solid season on the Asian Tour last year after missing only two cuts in 11 appearances. He also enjoyed two top-five results and two other top-10 finishes to end the season in 27th place on the Order of Merit.
“This is my first year with a full card and I’m playing in new events and courses. My performances haven’t been up to the mark but there are a couple of things which I’m working on. When you make changes and it doesn’t fall into place, you tend to get frustrated. But I know I need to move on and that’s what I’ve been doing.
“In the last month or so, I had a good time off and spent a couple of good days with my coach. We talked about what needs to be done and I see myself in a better situation now. The TAKE Solutions Masters will be the start of a busy second half of the year and like most players, I want to get off to the best start I can,” Chikkarangappa added.
