In contrast, Prayad’s young compatriot, Jazz, rose from the depths of despair to the heights of triumph when he won the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open by four shots.
The 21-year-old, who was only a few months old when Prayad claimed his first Asian Tour victory in 1996, was always tipped to become a winner after he first hit the scene by becoming the youngest golfer to make the halfway cut at the age of 14.
Jazz finished 63rd on last year’s Order of Merit, three rungs too long to keep his playing rights, and a trip to Qualifying School proved unsuccessful as he finished outside the top-35 which was required to earn a Tour card.
With only a country exemption in his back pocket, Jazz showed great tenacity and attitude to rise to the top of the pile in Bangladesh after holding off local hero Siddikur Rahman.
“I think this is the longest 18 holes that I have played in my life. I am happy that I got the job done. I have been waiting for this win since I was 14!” said a jubilant Jazz. “I wasn’t disappointed (about losing his card) because I know my chance will come. I just accepted my results as it is. I guess those setbacks helped in my game. The win came sooner than I thought.”
Such is the close camaraderie on Tour that Jazz later thanked Australians Marcus Both and Sam Brazel for providing words on encouragement through a tweet which he also posted a screenshot of his whatsapp chat with Both, who simply said “Play your game right till the end.”
Sinnot, a powerful Aussie, became the second quickest player to earn an Asian Tour victory straight out from Qualifying School when he took only two events to hoist a trophy at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open.
New playing opportunities now abound for Sinnot and Jazz with their all-important winner’s exemption and you can be sure that other exciting narratives will unfold over the 2017 season.
The Asian Tour. #whereitsAT
Chuach Choo Chiang is Director, Communication of the Asian Tour and is based in Malaysia.
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