Yuvraj Singh Sandhu might be excused for feeling a bit unfortunate. Final 12 months, he was tied with Manu Gandas at 5 wins on the PGTI tour until the latter nosed forward on the SSP Chawrasia Invitational to register a document sixth win of the 12 months. On the penultimate day of that event, PGTI introduced their settlement with the DP World Tour that assured the PGTI Order of Advantage winner a direct entry to the European tour for the subsequent 12 months.
Whereas Gandas received the fortunate break and made his DP World Tour debut on the Ras Al Khaimah Championship earlier this month, Sandhu was left ruing his probabilities. The slim miss, nonetheless, has not bogged him down. “It has solely made me extra decided and hungrier to create my probabilities and seize them,” the 26-year-old stated after ending Day 2 of the continued Hero Indian Open to complete tied sixth.
“After all, each golfer desires to play the DP World Tour and later the PGA Tour and I’m no totally different. However relatively than mulling over what might have been, I want to create one other such alternative for myself and seize it this time,” he stated.
“I’m nonetheless solely 26, so I’ve received age on my facet. I’ve received a style of profitable and I do know what it takes to win. I suppose it is a blessing in disguise.”
The second place on the PGTI rankings has nonetheless ensured Sandhu a final-stage entry into the European Q-College (qualification faculty). A powerful present there’ll ship him straight into the DP World Tour subsequent 12 months.
“It is a pathway I’m actually targetting. The planning has already begun in my head,” Sandhu stated.
The European tour Q College, Sandhu stated, will probably be primarily based in Spain though the venue and schedule are but to be introduced.
“Shubhankar has performed in fairly a number of programs in Spain, so I’m able to eat his brains. I will ask him every and every little thing in regards to the course and go about my preparation,” added Sandhu.
The camaraderie is comprehensible. Sharma, Gandas, and Sandhu return a good distance. The three performed on the junior circuit collectively earlier than Sharma turned professional in 2013. Gandas adopted go well with two years later whereas Sandhu did it in 2018, the identical 12 months Sharma turned the youngest Indian to earn a European card.
“There has all the time been a really wholesome rivalry amongst us. We’re buddies first and opponents later,” stated Sandhu, who nonetheless hangs out with Sharma each time they’re in Chandigarh.
“Me, Shubhi (Shubhankar), and Ajeetesh (Sandhu) wish to exit collectively. It is nice enjoyable. Each time we sit collectively, the conversations are all the time about making one another higher. We trade notes on know-how, opponents, programs, golf equipment…you identify it.”
“I perceive worldwide sport might be brutal, however for me, my relationships with these guys matter greater than anything,” added Sandhu who nonetheless follows Sharma’s progress wherever his pal is enjoying.
“It is the identical with him. We comply with one another’s progress. It is a very pure bond.”