Indian star Gaganjeet Bhullar comes into the Panasonic Open India week as one of the pre-tournament favourites having won the Asian Tour’s Macao Open just two weeks back.

Bhullar was again in contention at last week’s Indonesia Open where he posted two rounds of five-under-67. The Kapurthala lad finally claimed a tied 18th finish at the event.

Gaganjeet reflected on the past two weeks, saying, “Macao was a great test of golf so the win was quite satisfying. The wind was howling and I outplayed the whole field. Being 13-under after 2 days was remarkable.

“I’ve been working hard on my ball-striking. So I drove it really well in the last two events. I gave myself birdie opportunities and holed putts despite the tough conditions,” added Bhullar, who also made a hole-in-one during the Indonesia Open.

On the subtle changes introduced to his game this year, Bhullar said, “I’ve been working with a new coach based in Sacramento, California. There are some technical things that we’ve focused on including my golf swing. All that work is beginning to bear fruit.”

Talking about competing against Ajeetesh Sandhu in Macao, someone he has grown up playing with at the junior, amateur and professional level, the Kapurthala lad said, “I played with Ajeetesh after 10 years. It’s great to see him as a tournament winner on the Asian Tour. That could’ve been anyone’s week in Macao as we were both neck and neck at the start of the final day. Lot of old memories revived that day.”

Bhullar set a spate of records post his win in Macao. He not only became the youngest player to win eight titles on the Asian Tour but also equalled Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa’s feat of most titles by an Indian on the Asian Tour.

Commenting on these landmark achievements, the big-hitting Gaganjeet said, “These milestones will not sink in till the time I retire. But these records definitely give me a sense of achievement. I’ve grown up watching Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa and it’s good to be on the same page as them in the record books. The goal however, is to work harder and try and win more tournaments.

“The Asian Tour Order of Merit title is also there at the back of my mind since my countrymen such as Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Anirban Lahiri have already won it. It inspires me to work hard.”

Bhullar is now looking forward to setting another record straight during the Panasonic Open India this week.

He said, “I’ve finished second, third and fourth at Asian Tour events in India but never won. So that is another goal. I’m striking and putting well so I feel I have a good chance this week.

The playing conditions at the Delhi Golf Club are excellent this week. The fairways are in great shape and the greens are true. One has to keep the ball in play and just grab all opportunities on the greens.”