Gurugram teenager Kartik Singh turns out to be the youngest Indian to make it through the cut on the International Series India, which boasts a purse of $2 million. The 15-year-old Kartik carved out an impressive display of composure and skill at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram for the prestigious tournament.
The International Series India had one of the toughest fields in Indian golf history, including US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and other elite players.
The course itself was a tough challenge, with an average first-round score of 76.313 and bogeys far outnumbering birdies. However, Kartik, displaying maturity beyond his years, navigated through the treacherous layout and made it to the third round.
With a round of one-under-par 71 in the second round, he finished at four-over-par 148, placing him at tied 30th by midway. He played so well that he found himself very much inside the cut mark, going through without much trouble against such a formidable field.
Fourth Youngest to Win on the Asian Tour
Kartik now becomes the fourth-youngest golfer in Asian Tour history to make the mark. But Kartik didn’t flinch under the kind of pressure. At one point, he was four-under-par through 13 holes before having some trouble on the closing stretch but never was his place in the tournament in doubt.
“I feel very good, especially competing alongside the likes of Bryson, Anirban Lahiri, and Joaquin Niemann. Hopefully, I can carry on and play well over the weekend,” said Kartik.
Kartik Singh, Inspired by Bryson DeChambeau
Training under Deepinder Khullar at DLF Golf Academy, Kartik has shown an aptitude for playing well on tough courses. At 13, he became the youngest player to cut in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which is considered one of the toughest conditions in the world.
This week, he found added motivation after hitting balls alongside Bryson DeChambeau at the practice range. “Watching him hit his shots was eye-opening. His ball just keeps flying! Hopefully, I can improve my distance and get closer to him,” he said.
Kartik ranked 129 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, was looking for a cut during the tournament. Now that he has achieved this, he’s looking to further climb the leaderboard in the last few rounds.
“The crowd here is amazing. It’s a new experience for me. In amateur tournaments, no one watches. But here, the fans make it exciting and motivating,” he said.
Kartik Singh’s historic achievement has marked the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career, as he continues to make waves in the golfing world.
