Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

Bhullar blazes to Indonesian hat-trick Doting dad delivers 10th tour title F or the Asian Tour, the Mandiri Indonesia Open marked the start of the second half of an historic season. For proud parent Gaganjeet Bhullar, a return to a familiar venue acted as the perfect inspiration for getting back to winning ways. “I’m definitely on the way back,” predicted the Indian, speaking on the eve of the 38th edition of the national Open championship of Indonesia at Jakarta’s Pondok Indah Golf Course, scene of the second of Bhullar’s victories in the event in 2016. Those proved to be prophetic words from the reinvigorated 34 year old from Amritsar, fully recovered from being struck badly by COVID at the start of the year, disrupting his early-season plans. Right at home at the Robert Trent Jones Jnr- designed layout, Bhullar produced one of the finest closing rounds of his career, a bogey-free seven- under-par 65 for a tournament total of 20-under, and a two-shot victory from compatriot Rashid Khan and England’s Steve Lewton. It was a poignant success for Bhullar who was marking his return to his home continent after four years focusing on Europe and who dedicated his triumph to his 11-month-old daughter. “I played like a champion tee-to-green and Gaganjeet Bhullar (FAR LEFT/ABOVE) victory was his 10th Asian Tour title. 79 I had a lot of positive memories having won this tournament twice previously. That was definitely on my sub-conscious mind. -GAGANJEET BHULLAR M A N D I R I I N D O N E S I A O P E N PONDOK I NDAH GO LF COU R S E | AUGUST 4 -7, 2022 | P R IZE MON E Y US$500,000 gave myself so many birdie opportunities,” said Bhullar, reflecting on his 10th win on the Asian Tour, more than any other player from his country. His previous Asian Tour victory had come in 2018 at the Fiji International, nine years after collecting his maiden Asian Tour title in Indonesia. Bhullar said: “After two difficult years because of COVID, it’s amazing the Asian Tour is back in this wonderful country. The support for me here has been incredible. “I was riding high on confidence when I arrived here this week. I had a lot of positive memories having won this tournament twice previously. That was definitely on my sub-conscious mind.”