Hole-in-One for caddie-turned-pro

NEW DELHI: C Muniyappa has been flirting with victories on the domestic circuit and has been finishing in the top 20 for the past three years. The Bangalore lad’s tryst with international events has been the Indian Open and the Hero Honda Masters, both of which are played at home. Though he has enough talent and a conditional card on the Asian Tour, he does not have the wherewithal to travel abroad.

On the opening day of the Indian Masters, Muniyappa — whose parents are still employed at Karnataka Golf Association, his home course, on daily wage basis — was suddenly in the limelight for acing the par-3 12th. The 28-year-old had a dismal round till then. After a birdie on the opening hole, he made a bogey on the eighth and a double on the 10th. With the pin tucked behind on the 188-yard 12th, it actually played to 201 yards. With a deft 4-iron, Muniyappa’s tee shot found the green, 12 yards short of the pin before rolling into the cup. Incidentally, Ernie Els made a bogey on the same hole.

“I am thrilled. Actually I wanted to get as much close to the pin as possible. I didn’t mind if I had overshot as I would be looking for a straight putt instead of staying short and facing an uphill putt. Luckily it went in,” gushed Muniyappa, who went on to make birdies on the 14th, 15th and 17th to finish the day at 3-under.

“I still can’t believe I am playing with some of the best players in the world. This has been my dream for long and I want to give my best,” added the hard-working lad who has yet to register his first win in a eight-year professional career. Who knows, this might be the one!