SSP eyes first win outside India

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S.S.P. Chowrasia

S.S.P. Chowrasia believes he is getting closer to a first Asian Tour victory outside of his country after a strong showing at the recently-concluded Ballantine’s championship in Korea.

The double Asian Tour winner finished strongly to come in tied 11th on Sunday and moved up to 18th place on the latest Order of Merit. Chowrasia has won twice on home soil in the past five years but thinks he is finally headed in the right direction in his search for a third title.
“I’ve regained a lot of confidence especially with my results recently. I finished tied fifth at the Panasonic Open India and today’s (Sunday) round really gave me back my self-belief,” said Chowrasia, who closed with a four-under-par 68.
“I’ve been working on my putting and it has been getting better day by day. I’m trying to get my first win outside of India and hopefully that win will come very soon based on my current form,” added the Indian, who needed only 26 putts on the last day.
Another man in good form is Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who stormed up the leaderboard with a closing 65 for a share of the sixth place. A cheque of $76,024 moved Thongchai into sixth position on the Order of Merit, which is still led by countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
“I think we are very confident right now,” said the three-time Asian Tour number one. “It’s just a case of getting the putting to work and my game will be better.”
“I’m enjoying my golf right now. I just have to think about my putting.”
Kiradech extended his lead at the top of the Merit list with another $45,840 added to his season’s haul of $662,375 after finishing equal 11th in Korea.
Closest rival Gaganjeet Bhullar uncharacteristically missed the halfway cut.