Muniyappa; The Star of 2009The year 2009 for cannot be claimed to be on of the finest for our Indian golfers. Where on one hand, they clinched three tournaments on the Asian tour circuit; on the other hand, they failed to make a significant mark on the Japan Tour.
Unlike in 2008, Jyoti Randhawa this year in March claimed a title for himself on the Asian tour, that is, Singha Thailand Open, a new addition to the circuit.
In July, Ganganjet Bhullar won the second Asian Tour trophy for India after he won the Indonesian President Invitational. He also won five PGTI Players Championships throughout the year, marking it to be the most successful year of his career so far.
Later in October, Chinnaswamy Muniyappa brought back the Hero Honda Indian Open trophy back home, thus, also winning his first trophy on the Asian tour circuit. The victory also earned the caddie-turned-pro Muniyappa the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year award.
The Bangalore pro with a humble background was the lone Indian in Asian Tour’s annual roll of honour in which Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, winner of an unprecedented third Order of Merit crown, has been voted by his peers as the 2009 Asian Tour Players’ Player of the Year.
The unheralded Muniyappa wrapped up his season in 10th place on the Order of Merit with USD 223,269 through one win and three other top-25s.
Meanwhile Ace Indian golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, though failed to win any major tournament, finished second at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup. The defending champion was just two strokes off the pace at tied second after turning in a brilliant five-under 65 in the penultimate round.
The pro also teamed up with Jyoti Randhawa at the prestigious Golf World Cup at the Mission Hills Club and finished tied 14th in the event.