Gaganjeet Bhullar: The Lion in Winter of Asian Tour Golf
Gaganjeet Bhullar, the 36-year-old Indian golf legend, has a remarkable track record of success in the second half of the Asian Tour season. With 11 titles to his name, he is the most successful Indian in the tour’s history.
Bhullar’s dominance in the latter half of the season is evident in his impressive statistics. Ten of his 11 victories have come post-July, with three in August, two in October, and two in November. His only early-season win was the Asian Tour International in Thailand in February 2012.
This year, Bhullar is once again following his winning formula. After a disappointing finish at the Black Mountain Championship, he started the International Series Bangkok with a bogey-free 65, just one shot behind the leaders.
Bhullar attributes his late-season success to several factors. He believes that the scheduling of tournaments, with fewer events in the first half, allows him to find his rhythm and build momentum. Additionally, he enjoys playing on courses in the second half of the season.
The key to Bhullar’s success lies in his exceptional driving accuracy. As the Driving Accuracy leader on the Asian Tour in 2023 and 2017, he consistently hits fairways, which gives him a significant advantage.
Despite missing three cuts earlier in the season, Bhullar’s fortunes changed when he regained control of his driver. He missed only two fairways at the Black Mountain Championship and continued that form at the International Series Bangkok.
Bhullar emphasizes the importance of hitting fairways, as it allows him to build momentum and focus on making birdies. He believes that a good tee shot can shift his mindset from saving par to attacking the hole.
While disappointed not to convert his third-round lead into a win at Hua Hin, Bhullar remains positive. He recognizes the need for luck in tournament victories and is determined to continue his good form at the International Series Bangkok.