A little concerning for players on Asian Tour: Karandeep Kochhar on LIV Golf funding uncertainty

Indian golfer Karandeep Kochhar on Thursday admitted that uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf-backed funding has become a little concerning for players on the Asian Tour, saying the circuits calendar and prize pool are heavily dependent on the Saudi-backed International Series.

Indian golfer Karandeep Kochhar on Thursday admitted that uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf-backed funding has become ''a little concerning'' for players on the Asian Tour, saying the circuit's calendar and prize pool are heavily dependent on the Saudi-backed International Series. The uncertainty also assumes significance for Indian golf because the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) has emerged as a feeder circuit for the Asian Tour and the Saudi-backed International Series, with top performers earning opportunities to compete in LIV Golf Promotions. ''The chunk of our calendar and the chunk of the money which is being put on our tour is being put by the International Series, which is funded by LIV Golf basically. So yes, it is a little concerning,'' Karandeep, who registered a fourth-place finish in Philippine Golf Championship and tied fifth position in International Series Japan this year, told PTI in an interview. ''We don't have much clarity right now. They are saying funding is there till the end of 2026, so for this year I would like to believe we are good. But next year onwards, it is a little bit of a concern for sure.'' However, the 26-year-old from Chandigarh, who won the maiden IGPL Invitational in Dubai in December and finished runner-up at the IGPL Invitational Kolkata last year, said he was not losing sleep over factors beyond his control. ''My attitude and my hunger to win is always the same. Whether it is the Asian Tour playing for a million dollars or IGPL, my job is to show up and play golf to the best of my abilities.'' Karandeep had met with an accident on Sunday while travelling to the airport to catch his flight for the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open this week. ''In the middle of the highway, we had this accident. So we had to go to the hospital. I had a minor cut on the head. I was given two injections for tetanus and painkillers, my head just wasn't feeling right because I was still quite heavy and having headaches. So I decided not to travel,'' he said. ''That was a bummer, obviously, to not be able to play this week, because I was playing well but that's fine.'' Karandeep said an Asian Games appearance remains a possibility after narrowly missing out on previous editions. ''I have been quite close to making the Asian Games and Olympic teams both times,'' he said. ''When the Olympics happened in 2020, I was first or second reserve. In the Asian Games also, I had almost qualified before COVID changed everything.'' Though the Asian Games was not among his targets at the start of the year, Karandeep's recent performances have pushed him back into contention for selection. ''If I am able to go, it would be awesome. To represent your country at the Asian Games would be awesome. It is happening in Japan this year and I played well there recently, so to go back and try to win a medal for India would be special.'' Karandeep believes his game is now ''almost there'' but identified putting as the area that needs improvement if he is to secure his maiden Asian Tour title. ''If I could be a little more assertive when I have my putts, a little more confident and aggressive, that could be the thing which pushes me over the line and helps me get that first win,'' he said. ''When I am hitting putts confidently and not being tentative, I have played my best golf.'' The Chandigarh golfer also reflected on his difficult 2024 season when he lost his Asian Tour card and had to return to the PGTI and Asian Development Tour. ''I think more than technical, it was solely mental,'' he said. ''Sometimes when things are not going your way, you start questioning yourself and the work you are putting in. But I made a conscious effort not to find problems when there weren't any.'' Karandeep eventually bounced back by winning on the Asian Development Tour in Egypt, a victory he described as ''very timely''. ''Otherwise, I would not have been back on the Asian Tour this year,'' he said. ''All I changed was my attitude. Staying positive, staying patient, putting in the hard work and focusing only on what I could control.'' Looking ahead, Karandeep said his ambitions for the remainder of the season are clear. ''The goal now has shifted towards winning and trying to finish in the top 10 or top 15 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit,'' said Karandeep, who is currently ranked 11th in the Order of Merit.