Win came at right time: SSP Chawrasia

His long-awaited win at the Hero Indian Open has catapulted Kolkata golfer S.S.P. Chawrasia to a career-best world ranking of 151 and also earned him a two-year European Tour card exemption.

The 37-year-old rose 92 places from 243 the week before. It was also his third European Tour win — all of them co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour — and tied him with Arjun Atwal. Only Jeev Milkha Singh with four wins has more.

The win also put Chawrasia into a category earning him an exemption into the European Tour this year and the following two seasons. Chawrasia earlier played as a fully exempt member from 2008 to 2014 by virtue of his earlier wins in the 2008 Indian Masters and the 2011 Avantha Masters.

“This win came at the right time as this year we have the Olympics and I was also trying to get my card back for the European Tour,” said Chawrasia.

“It was a very emotional moment after four second places over 17 years. The last two times I was second in 2013 and 2015 and I was naturally nervous going into the final.”

He had limited playing right in 2015 and finished 113th, narrowly missing regaining his full playing rights. But this latest win gives him the card till the end of 2018.

Chawrasia is also assured of a Olympic spot alongside India’s no. 1 Anirban Lahiri, who also moved up this week, following his tied-second place. Lahiri moved from 52nd back to exactly 50th.

“I spoke to Jeev (Milkha Singh) for advice and I am thankful to him for helping me handle the situation. That helped me to stay calm during the tense final round.

“Anirban, who is a very good friend, was always encouraging and I was touched by his gesture of applauding my third shot on the final hole. It showed what a great sportsman he is. It will be a privilege to play with him at the Olympics,” he said.