Pairing with Woods is my dream, says Kapur

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Seven years after making his maiden appearance at the Majors in 2006, Shiv Kapur grabbed another chance to swing his club alongside the golfing greats at the 2013 Open Championship to be held later this month at Muirfield.
The 31-year-old Kapur battled wet and cold conditions to shoot a flawless 64 on the final day and grab one of the three available slots at the 36-hold Local Final Qualifying event at the Musselburgh in Scotland.
With a first day score of 69, Kapur totalled a seven-under 133 to finish one stroke behind local amateur Grant Forrest who shot 67 and 65. The third berth went to a 45-year-old Melbourne-based pro John Wade.
If Kapur’s opening round featured an eagle-three on the second hole, his final round of 64 was punctuated by six birdies. “It’s a great feeling,” said an ecstatic Kapur.
“I wanted to try to qualify on a links course because I think that’s the proper way to do it. It was the first time I had played a links course since this time last year, so it was all a bit strange to start with, but I soon got the hang of things again. I am really looking forward to Muirfield. It was one of my goals this year to get back to the Majors,” the Asian Tour winner added.
The Delhi golfer said he hopes to make amends to his last Major campaign, where he lost the halfway cut at Hoylake in 2006, that was won by Tiger Woods.
“I hope to play in all four days, though I haven’t set any targets. I will aim to stay calm and score as low as I can. The way Anirban (Lahiri) played last year was superlative. I hope I can also come up with such a performance,” said Kapur.
Lahiri had finished a creditable 31st, the best by an Asian at the British Open last year.
Asked whom he would like to pair with during the Open, Kapur said: “It’s my dream to walk alongside Woods on that Sunday. Also it’s not impossible to get a practice round with British great Nick Faldo.”
Kapur said he would rely on his Italian coach, Alberto Binaghi — who also works with Italian sensation Matteo Manassero — to guide him. “I’ve been working with Alberto for the last few months. I think that helped a lot,” Kapur added.