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Sitting on the 34th spot in the world golf rankings Anirban Lahiri lies on the cusp of breaking into the top 30, which would indirectly make him the highest ever ranked Indian on the list. Jeev Milkha Singh had earlier reached the 29th spot, but has since faded away.With the golf being included in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the sport is growing from strength to strength across various parts of the country. After becoming stalwarts in the European Tour, several golfers are looking to now secure American PGA tour status.Here are the five best golfers from India:
#1 Anirban Lahiri
Three weeks and two titles has propelled Lahiri into the world top 50, after starting the year in the 64th position. The Bengaluru-based golfer secured the Maybank Malaysian Open, after being four shots behind the leader on the last day.
The Hero Indian Open saw a similar outcome as Lahiri was behind leader, Shiv Kapur heading into the final day. With three years of European status secured, he is India’s best to have a PGA Tour representative next year.
Currently participating in the World Golf Championship in Miami, Lahiri has set his targets of breaking into the world top 10. If he continues his current form into 2016, India might not be far away from a potential Olympic medal.
#2 S S P Chowrasia
Shiv Chowrasia has a rags to riches story! He worked as a caddie on the Royal Calcutta Golf Club before transitioning into professional golf. Currently ranked 171st in the world, he is India’s second highest ranked golfer and also has two European titles to his name.
One of those tournaments were the inaugural Emaar-MGF Indian Masters, which was a part of the European Tour calendar. The 36-year old has also won the Avantha Masters and Panasonic India Open.
#3 Rashid Khan
At just 24 years of age, Rashid Khan is the youngest golfer on the list. He was also part of the team that won a silver medal at the 2014 Asian Games. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Anirban Lahiri described him as ‘the best upcoming talent’ in the country.
The New Delhi based player is ranked 208 in the world and even broke into the top 200, last month. His two Asian Tour victories have come in 2014, when he won the SAIL-SBI Open and then the Chiangmai Golf Classic.
His growth trajectory in the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is an indication of how quickly his talent is prospering. In 2011, Khan finished third in the order of merit, then second the following year and finally lifted all-round title in 2013, before graduating to the Asian Tour.
#4 Shiv Kapur
The runner-up of the 2015 Indian Open to Anirban Lahiri, Kapur has been one of the stalwarts of India Golf. The 33-year old has had a successful amateur career as well winning an individual gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games.
Kapur’s biggest professional victory came when he won the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2005. However, since then Kapur has failed to regain similar form, falling out of the world 200 list.
He also played the 2014 US Open, where he finished tied 23rd and the Open Championship, where he finished tied 73rd.
Kapur has shown enough prowess to ignite the discussion of a probable return to form.
Jyoti Randhawa
The most experienced Indian golfer on the list, Randhawa was the first ever Indian golfer to reach the world top 100 rankings. However, due to inactivity, he is now currently ranked 275th in the world.
#5 Jyoti Randhawa
The most experienced Indian golfer on the list, Randhawa was the first ever Indian golfer to reach the world top 100 rankings. However, due to inactivity, he is now currently ranked 275th in the world.
Randhawa has won eight Asian Tour titles, including historic victories at the Singapore Open and Volvo Masters of Asia. He would also go on to finish tied 27th at the 2004 Open Championship.
In 2002, Randhawa topped Asian Tour merit list, winning the best golfer from the continent tag. Despite his successes, the 42-year old has failed to kick-start his European Tour career.
Let’s hope Randhawa not only impresses on the European Tour, but also helps India to Olympic glory in 2016.
