I have nearly finalized all my preparations to participate in the International Series – England on the Asian Tour at Foxhills, near London, from August 8th to 11th. I was interested to find Michael Block (US), the 48-year-old club pro who made a significant impact at the 2023 US PGA Championship in New York, invited to the event. He appears to be a unique character with a strong game.
My previous competition was the International Series – Morocco earlier this month, where I placed eighth, which led to another invitation to the Foxhills tournament. I plan to depart for London on August 3rd, pending confirmation of my visa requirements. During my stay in Dubai, I have been practicing and playing at The Els Club CH3 Academy and Emirates Golf Club, on the Faldo, Majlis, and Dubai Creek courses. The weather here is warmer than I recall, but it suits my schedule of early and late outdoor activities, avoiding the midday heat.
I am maintaining my game sharpness, but tournament golf remains crucial. My coach, Dana Dahlquist in California, and I have been working together for a few months, primarily through calls and video lessons, thanks to modern technology and Zoom. Dana currently coaches Bryson DeChambeau and has previously coached Viktor Hovland and Charles Howell III, boasting a solid resume.
Among Indian golfers in Dubai, I am closest to Shiv Kapur, Anirban Lahiri, and Gaganjeet Bhullar. I plan to play with Shiv next week. I have also connected with Jeev Milkha Singh, who I consider a mentor; they are all supportive and willing to offer advice. Their collective experience includes victories worldwide, participation in Majors, and representing India and the Rest of the World in various prestigious events.
I have been focusing on my fitness at the gym, establishing a good routine. It has been enjoyable to reconnect with family and friends during this trip. Following England, I will play in the Coimbatore Open on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) from August 14th to 17th, 2024, at Coimbatore Golf Club, having secured an invite. I will also visit extended family there before returning to Dubai to finalize my US visa.
My upcoming plans include competing in the Korn Ferry Q’School, the DP World Tour Q’School, and hopefully receiving more invites on the Asian Tour and the Asian Tour Q’School. It will be a busy period with extensive travel, hoping the dates do not overlap too much. As an amateur, managing my own schedule is simpler. I anticipated 2024 to be challenging but knew what to expect in professional golf. This year focuses more on qualifying schools, setting the stage for a planned 2025.
I was pleased to learn about two additional International Series events in Thailand in October; I hope to fit them into my schedule with more invites. Now, I need to address some visa and tax issues. Once these are resolved and my passport remains valid, I will be ready. I am eager to return to tournament golf and cannot wait!
