CHENNAI: If a maiden Asian Tour title was supposed to reduce concerns, it has led to fresh headaches for Ajeetesh Sandhu. Not that he minds a chance to test himself on some of the most competitive golf courses in the continent till the end of 2019, which last month’s victory in Taiwan guaranteed. He is occupied also with thoughts of funding himself.
A rare Indian on the Asian Tour with a title and without a sponsor, the 29-year-old has revived his career by securing the win last month, after having turned pro in 2008. A rising youngster alongside Gaganjeet Bhullar a decade ago, Sandhu saw the latter make a mark at the international level long back. His own journey got restricted to impressive home outings on the PGTI circuit, with a third-place finish in 2011 being his only top 10 in Asia.
That graph has shot up this year, as Sandhu recorded a third and tied-second on the Asian Tour, other than the triumph. It has ensured that his earnings from seven events in Asia has crossed a crore ($159,228, Rs 1.03 cr approx) for 2017. But given that being a regular in Asia will cost between Rs 35 to Rs 50 lakh a year, depending on how many events he plays, the Chandigarh pro has to think of things other than improving his game.
“It’s been like that since I started, as I never had a sponsor. I have approached corporates a few times and there have been talks, but nothing has materialised. I manage on my own playing in India, using the money I earn in PGTI. And thankfully, I’ve done decent enough to sustain myself. But playing in Asia regularly requires a lot more. I guess I have to depend on prize money again,” Sandhu told Express on Wednesday.
Travel and stay are the major expenses for professional golfers, other than coaching and hiring caddies. By average estimates, playing 35 events a year on the Asian Tour costs around Rs 50 lakh.
Most Indian pros pick and choose instead of playing all, and only 15-20 of them have sponsors. But those good enough to win usually have a steady source of funding. Sandhu is an exception, considering that most Indians to have won titles in the last two years — like SSP Chawrasia, Bhullar, Chiragh Kumar and Shiv Kapur — have sponsors.
“Because this is how it has been, I try to help myself. I’d say winning a first title in Asia was a hurdle that I got over. For several reasons, it had not happened earlier. Sometimes, you need that bit of luck to win. But in general, I don’t set targets. I just want to play and if I do it well, the rest should take care of itself,” said the player who tees off at the Panasonic Open in New Delhi on Thursday.
atreyo@newindianexpress.com