After topping merit list, upbeat Rashid targets Asia resurgence

CHENNAI:: (ONT bureau) :27/12 Rashid Khan might rue his only even-par round at the McLeod Russel Tour Championship. The 72 came in the last round and prevented him from challenging overnight leader Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand, who won the title by three strokes.
But the second-place finish at the Professional Golf Tour of India’s year-ending event at Royal Calcutta Golf Course featuring select players and the cheque for `15 lakh meant he topped the Order of Merit with total earnings of `44.8 lakh. This is the second time he has headed the PGTI annual chart, after 2013.
“Would have been better to win, but I’d take this,” the Delhi pro told Express from Kolkata.
“That I topped Order of Merit before doesn’t make this insignificant. It’ll boost my confidence going ahead next year.” He took part in just eight of the 21 PGTI events. That the second, third and fourth on the list played 19, 12 and 12 tourneys shows how better than the rest Rashid fared.
From a humble background, Rashid has been concentrating on the Asian Tour after 2013. He had two wins in 2014, including one in Thailand, his first abroad. But two top-10s and five missed cuts in 13 events suggests the 2010 Asian Games didn’t have a great year. A motorcycle accident made things worse.