Chonburi, Oct 26: Aryan Roopa Anand like many other amateurs cannot help dreaming of the chance to walk down the Magnolia Lane at the 2023 Masters and the 18th fairway at the Open at Royal Liverpool next year.
The Mysuru-born, who has since shifted base to Bangalore, will complete 21 in two months. He is part of the seven-man Indian team here at the Asia-Pacific Amateurs.
The other Indians in the field are Rayhan Thomas, who was second in 2018, Milind Soni, Arjun Gupta, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Shat Mishra and Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa.
Aryan makes no secret of that desire, as he said, “The AAC means a lot. It is an opportunity for us, to play the Masters and the Open. The thought of walking down Magnolia Lane is just amazing, it could tear up right now with thought of being there. The event is of great significance; and what the AAC, the R&A and the Masters have done for amateurs like is just fantastic. It has given us an opportunity to walk among the greats and made it possible for us to be at the best venues.”
“We have four rounds to compete and hopefully get a chance to walk down Magnolia Lane or at the Royal Liverpool next year. So, I am looking forward to this week.
Last year, Aryan became only the second player in this century to win back-to-back All India Amateur Championships, an iconic event that dates back to 1892. “It is the biggest championship in India and to win it twice was amazing. There was a year’s gap in between after I won it first time in 2019. To be able to stay on top again in 2021 was very satisfying,” says Aryan, who is often spoken of as the busiest Indian amateur, who is happy to travel play each week and whenever possible.
Aryan, who took to golf at the age of 10, considers the All India Amateur win in 2019 as his breakthrough moment. Since then he has represented India at various internationals.
“I used to watch my father play and watch a lot of golf on television as well,” recalls Aryan, who by the age of 12 had decided he wanted to make a career in golf.
He is now in Chonburi, Thailand alongside the best amateurs, in Asia Pacific, for his second start at the AAC, he said, “It is one of the most sought after events; it is the best event you get all year around. I am glad I could be part of the Indian team for a second in a row. The experience at Creek (Dubai) last year was second to none. The way we get treated makes you want to come back and get more.” In Dubai he missed the cut, but this time he expects a better showing.
An extremely hard-working player, coached by former pro Tarun Sardesai a Zion Hills, Aryan adds, “I like being busy; I don’t mind the (busy) schedule. That’s why I put in the hours. What’s the point of working so hard if you can’t play 5-6 weeks in a row; that is what it is like at the Tours like PGA and other big Tours.”
On his own game, he added, “I am sticking to the process, the work ethic is the same; the number of hours of work I put and the discipline. Me and my team have stuck to all that and I know good results will follow in time.”
Earlier this month, he was part of his state team that won a silver at the National Games and then made the cut at a pro event, which included all of India’s top professionals. He also won the Eastern India, another event which like All India Amateurs, combines stroke play and match play. “Those are long events and need a lot of focus,” he says.
And finally, Aryan hopes he can catch a bit of Thailand before the week is done, but for now the focus is the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which will open many doors for the winner.
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