RABAT (Morocco), 10 June (H.S.): A 10-member Indian contingent will compete in the prestigious International Series Morocco golf tournament this week, with expectations high for a strong showing from the country’s players. The event carries a prize purse of USD 2 million and is one of the marquee tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by in-form golfer Karandeep Kochhar and experienced campaigner Gaganjeet Bhullar. India’s leading golfer Anirban Lahiri will also be in action at the tournament. The Indian lineup further includes Aryan Roopa Anand, Udayan Mane, SSP Chawrasia, Rashid Khan, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Shubham Jaglan.

Twenty-six-year-old Kochhar has been enjoying an impressive run of form this season. In just five Asian Tour events, he has recorded three top-10 finishes. Most recently, he secured a tied ninth-place finish at the AM Green IGPL India Classic. Earlier in the season, he finished tied fifth at the International Series Japan and fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship. Last year, he also captured the title at the Egypt Golf Series Red Sea Open.

Kochhar said he was pleased with the consistency of his performances this year and believed his game had continued to improve.

“I’ve been playing really well this season. Finishing inside the top 10 three times in five tournaments has certainly boosted my confidence. Even in the events where the results did not go exactly as planned, I felt my overall game remained strong,” he said.

Acknowledging the physical fatigue that comes from spending three consecutive weeks competing in Morocco, Kochhar nevertheless emphasized the significance of the tournament for his career.

“Playing in the strong winds at Mazagan Beach Golf Course has been quite challenging. I am feeling a little tired, but I keep reminding myself that this tournament has the potential to be life-changing. A long break awaits after this event, so it is important to give everything I have right now,” he said.

Kochhar also praised the partnership between the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) and the Asian Tour.

“There is tremendous talent in Indian golf. This partnership has provided players with a larger platform to showcase their abilities. Performing as the leading Indian player is a matter of great pride for me,” he said.

Speaking lightheartedly about a practice session, Kochhar added, “Today, during practice, we played a short seven-hole match. Aryan and I were paired against Anirban and Shaurya. We managed to square the match by making birdies on the final two holes.”

He further noted that spending time alongside a player of Lahiri’s stature offers invaluable learning opportunities for younger golfers.

“Anirban possesses immense experience from competing on the PGA Tour and across global golf circuits. There is so much to learn from being around him. At present, he is India’s foremost representative in world golf, and all of us are delighted to have the opportunity to play alongside him,” Kochhar said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar