Golfer Bhullar eyes third title at Indonesia Open

Jakarta  :  Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar is aiming to lift the Bank BRI Indonesia Open trophy for an unprecedented third time as he tees off for the $500,000 event here on Thursday.

Bhullar, who won the prestigious tournament twice in 2013 and 2016, is looking to bank on his recent run of good form to contend for the title at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open, which will be held for the third consecutive year at the Pondok Indah Golf Course this week.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a hot streak of late, finishing second twice in his last six starts on Tour this season. Having claimed three of his eight Asian Tour titles in Indonesia, Bhullar is hopeful of putting up another title run on his favourite hunting ground.

"The Pondok Indah Golf Course is one of my favourite venues and it has one of the best layouts on the Asian Tour. I clearly remember the win at the Indonesia Open back in 2016. It would be nice to win the tournament for the third time," he said in an Asian Tour release.

"Indonesia is close to my heart. I've always been successful in the country as I've won here a total of three times. My first international win was in Indonesia back in 2009 and it seems that there's something there in this country that attracts me," he added.

"Hopes are high this year. I'm playing well. I'm going to spend some time on the putting greens and read them properly today. Overall, I'm feeling comfortable playing golf."

His compatriot S. Chikkarangappa, who marked his best result so far this season with a tied-11th place finish in Malaysia last week, will continue his chase for a breakthrough win on the Asian Tour when he makes his second appearance at the Indonesia Open.

"I'm getting better every week. Now, you can see me playing with a smile on my face, as I convert those even-pars to under-pars. I've always done well in Indonesia. I retained my Asian Tour card for 2018 at the season-ender that was held in this country," he said.