Improved Bhullar seeks to retain TPC title

A confident Gaganjeet Bhullar of India believes he has the experience and the talent to launch a successful title defence at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) which starts Thursday.

Bhullar will headline the $500,000 Asian Tour event alongside reigning Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, local Lin Wen-tang, who is a six-time Asian Tour winner and Baek Seuk-hyun, who ranks sixth on the Order of Merit.

The 25-year-old Bhullar has so far enjoyed a solid season and was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award last month, which recognises outstanding achievements by an Indian sportsman.

A good finish or a successful title defence at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club will also strengthen Bhullar's position on the Order of Merit, where he is currently ranked second. He stands a chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in October if he can remain in the top-two before the cut-off date Oct 14.

"I think my game has definitely matured a lot since I won the TPC last year. I learnt a lot from every tournament I play in. With my previous victories and experiences playing on both the Asian Tour and European Tour, I think these have helped build up my game a lot," said Bhullar.

"I don't think it's difficult to come back and play in a tournament where I'm defending the title. I've won a few times on the Indian Tour and four times on the Asian Tour now. I've got a lot of expectations but at the end of the day, this is what we play for. I'm really pumped up and feeling very positive with my game this time," he added.