The seeds of pro golf took root firmly in Akshay Neranjen some years back.
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The immediate benefits of the T5 at the 2019 Bengaluru Open on his home course, Karnataka Golf Association, and the best amateur award may not have been apparent then, but are clear like daylight now.
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Akshay is two days into his pro career, and again sits T5 and three off the leader, Arjun Sharma, at the Players Championship. The days, months and years of making notes, learning and improving are showing up for the young athlete this week.
“The depth of field and competition is very different (amateur vs pro golf),” said Akshay, but the waiting, planning and execution of taking his scores (as an amateur) to a level where he could safely say that he was ready for the pro challenge meant that when he teed off at the Coimbatore Golf Club, the butterflies weren’t fluttering in the tummy.
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It was this confidence of being ready that came in handy on Day 2. The strong gusts compounded the poor start on Thursday before patience kicked in. Akshay clawed back with a string of birdies towards the close to move up the leaderboard.