Rabat, June 10 (IANS) After two weeks in Morocco playing at the Mazagan Beach Golf Resort, Karandeep Kochhar arrives at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam for the International Series Morocco. He has been in great form, with three top-10 finishes in just five Asian Tour events this season, and currently stands at Tied-12th.

Kochhar, 26, finished tied for ninth at last week’s IGPL Bharath Classic, following a tied-for-fifth at the International Series Japan and fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship. Late last year, he won the Egypt Golf Series Red Sea Open on the Asian Development Tour.

Kochhar is among the 10 Indians participating in the $2 million high-profile event. The group also includes Anirban Lahiri and IGPL’s star player Gaganjeet Bhullar, along with other IGPL stars such as Aryan Roopa Anand, Udayan Mane, and SSP Chawrasia.

The Indian team also features Rashid Khan, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Ajeetesh Sandhu, and Shubham Jaglan.

A confident Kochhar said, “I think I’ve been playing really well this year. I’ve only played five events so far and I’ve already had three top-10 finishes, so that’s definitely encouraging. Even in the other events, I felt like I was playing solid golf. In New Zealand, I just had a poor Sunday, and in Singapore I wasn’t playing my best, but I still managed to make the cut, which I was happy about.”

Over the past three weeks, Kochhar has tested that consistency as he competed through Morocco’s distinctive professional golf swing, starting from the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour and culminating in this week’s International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco. He participated in all three events and acknowledged that it has been physically demanding, especially given the tough coastal conditions at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.

“It’s definitely been a bit taxing. The last two weeks at Mazagan were tough because it’s such a windy golf course, and playing in those conditions takes a lot more energy out of you,” he said. “I’m definitely feeling a little tired, but I keep reminding myself how important, and potentially life-changing, this tournament is. I’ll have a long break after this week, so it’s worth giving everything I’ve got.”

Kochhar’s performances have established him as the top Indian player in events organized jointly by the Asian Tour and the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), a role he is very proud of.

“There’s so much talent on the IGPL Tour and in Indian golf in general, so it was great to see the IGPL and Asian Tour come together for this partnership. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to do well and finish as the top Indian player recently, and I definitely take pride in that. Of course, you always want to finish high on the leaderboard overall, but there’s also a part of me that wants to be the best Indian finisher each week,” he said.

This week’s International Series field also provides Kochhar with another exciting opportunity to spend time with Indian golfing legend Anirban Lahiri. The two were already engaging in some friendly competition even before the tournament week officially started.

“We actually had a little seven-hole match today. Me and Aryan (Roopa Anand) versus Anirban and Shaurya (Bhattacharya),” Kochhar said with a smile. “Aryan and I were two down with two holes to play, but I birdied the last two holes to halve the match. I was pretty happy about that.”

Kochhar also values the opportunity to learn from one of India’s most accomplished golfers.

“Honestly, it’s amazing having Anirban here. It means a lot for all of us when someone with his experience comes out to The International Series and spends time playing practice rounds with us. He has so much knowledge from playing on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf over the years, and you can learn so much just being around him. Right now, he’s carrying the Indian flag in global golf, and he’s an amazing role model, not just as a player, but as a person too.

“We’re all really happy to have him here, and hopefully I get to play some more rounds with him this week,” he stated.

–IANS

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