Close friends Chikka and Chawrasia look forward to playing with each other at TAKE Solutions Masters

Bengaluru, August 10: SSP Chawrasia and S Chikkarangappa have played as teammates at the World Cup and another team event in Europe, and for the third round of the TAKE Solutions Masters on Saturday, they have been paired together.

While Danthai Boonma (66-61) and Miguel Carballo (66-66) are first and second, there were five Indians in the Top-10 with S Chikkarangappa (T-3rd) and SSP Chawrasia (5th) being the leading ones. Others are Viraj Madappa at sixth while Khalin Joshi and Honey Baisoya are Tied-9th.

Chikka has a one-shot advantage after rounds of 69-64 and is 9-under 133 and fourth, while Chawrasia with rounds of 69-65 is 8-under 134 and fifth.

Both Chikka and Chawrasia, who get along very well, are looking forward to it. Chikka was excited as he said, “I am so glad and happy to be playing along with SSP tomorrow. Coming into the range I saw SSP up there and I was so happy because I know how he is struggling on the European Tour. But I was so happy to see him shooting those numbers today and that probably also boosted me up going into my second round. He’s an amazing person, we come from similar backgrounds and I really look up to him.”

Chawrasia had similar gushing words for Chikka, saying, “I am so happy to see him score well today and I would love to see him win on Asian Tour. He is talented and very energetic. I enjoy playing with him as a teammate and I am sure we will enjoy it again tomorrow, even though we are competing each other in this event.”

Chikka also revealed, “I spoke to Anirban (Lahiri) just a couple of days back. He is feeling solid too. I need to trust myself and have that belief. He told me that you need to go out there and enjoy yourself. And ask yourself how happy you were after the round.”

He added, “Overall I played superbly well today and my putting was really amazing. I hit the ball really good. I did a couple of changes just before this event with Mr. Sujith Somasunder on the mental aspect and also with my coach.”

“I love playing at home. I have won plenty of events at home and the kind of love and warmth you get from the people of Bangalore, it is really amazing. There is no pressure, they actually cheer you up. It doesn’t matter if you win or you don’t win, they are always there and come out and support you. And I really thank them for that.”

Chawrasia, who has six Asian Tour wins, of which four have been co-sanctioned with European Tour, said, “I am looking forward to tomorrow. No pressure as such, I want to focus on my own game. This is the first event this year where I have played good golf over the first two rounds. Let’s see what happens in the next two rounds.”

He added, “My old putter was a centre-shaft and the new one is hinge-shaft. It is a little differently shaped. It is an Odyssey. This is my first week with the new putter. Yesterday, I couldn’t make putts but today I made a couple of good putts.”

On the KGA he said, “The KGA is always in great condition; for me it is among the Top-5 courses in India.”