Chiragh, Bhullar tee off at Asian Tour Q School final stage

Pattaya, Dec 12 (UNI) On a high after helping India win the team Silver medal in the Asian Games, the duo of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Chiragh Kumar will be hoping to emulate their idols when they tee off at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage later today.

An admirer of Shiv Kapur, Chiragh, winner of two amateur titles, said,''Shiv is my role model. He inspired me to be where I am today. Indian players who perform well like Shiv and Jeev (Milkha Singh) definitely motivate us to do better. I want to follow in their footsteps and win it big someday.'' Incidentally, Shiv is also in Thailand hoping to defend his Volvo Masters of Asia title in Bangkok this week.

''We are both tired as we arrived early this morning but we are inspired for a good result here. It is a tough field and no one can tell what will happen but we will try our best,'' said 22-year-old Chiragh.

His partner Bhullar has enjoyed a stunning year on the domestic amateur circuit winning six out of the seven events and with an Asian Games silver medal, the 18-year-old believes it is the right time to face the big boys on the pro circuit.

''Similar to Chiragh, I plan to turn pro after the Final Stage no matter what the outcome is. I had a good amateur life and now I am hoping to take the next step.

''I won six titles on the local amateur circuit while Chiragh was the only other winner this year. We have always been close and supportive towards each other,'' said Bhullar, who also finished fourth at the Malaysian Amateur Open this year.

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