The strain was palpable. For Gaurav Pratap Singh, it wasn’t the after-effects of coming off a playoff at the Delhi-NCR Open, but of having finally put a lid to what transpired since his breakthrough win on the PGTI in late 2009.
As Gaurav puts it, winning that early in the career had its advantages for the “bull” on the golf course in those days.
Related: Time stands still as Gaurav Pratap Singh makes winner’s circle again
Gaurav is still the bull of yore but one in control of emotions. Over time, the untamed energy got chastened by the ups and downs of life and golf.
With early success came expectations, and when they weren’t fulfilled to the extent the athlete in Gaurav would have liked, angst started to pile up.
He did come close several times, and even won on the Feeder Tour, but it was a repeat of 2009 that he longed for.
As the wait kept stretching, Gaurav’s patience started to show signs of strain. He even contemplated quitting several times, and that’s where wife Deepika and a one-off incident played a critical role in holding him back.
It was one of those annual off-seasons on Tour, and Gaurav decided to check out an opportunity that promised good gains. But as the details of that proposal panned out, Gaurav realized that the world outside the golf course was an alien one.
That helped make up the mind, as did Deepika’s constant encouragement. “She’s been a pillar of strength,” says Gaurav. “All through she kept saying, ‘you’ll sail through this, wait for your time, it’ll come’.”
It did, and Gaurav bent and touched the 18th green of the Noida Golf Course, the scene of Friday’s playoff, in reverence.
Another sign that the “bull” had learnt from what he has been through.
Photo Credit: PGTI
