Anant Singh Ahlawat has the credentials for a sound career in pro golf. After a winless streak in the Indian Golf Union’s junior ranks, Anant covered ground on the amateur circuit with his first win at Jamshedpur in 2016.
The crowning glory came two years later when he won the All-India Amateur and finished the season No. 1 in the country.
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Needless to say, the spirit was high, and adding to expectations were the learnings from featuring in pro events in 2019, the Indian Open and Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan.
“Those were opportunities to play with golfers I used to admire and got more experience on what goes on behind the scenes,” said the Chandigarh golfer.
In the bid to get better, Anant spread his wings and crisscrossed the globe, competing in top amateur events in South Africa, Australia, Thailand and Singapore. But the best he could manage were a few top-20s.
“I struggled as it was about adjusting to the environment, course conditions, greens and was also about my short game.”
Then came the pandemic and the elbow injury soon after was a double whammy. Turning professional has always been an option, but Anant is biding time while honing his craft. Aware of the areas he needs to work on, playing more tournaments this year is the route to redemption.
All this is towards ticking a key box. Anant is firm on pocketing some strong results overseas before he heads to PGTI’s Q-School. “I know I can be on top,” is the firm assertion.
Photo Credit: Anant Singh Ahlawat
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