Chowrasia at home on DGC greens

Surrounded by garishness on the practice green, SSP Chowrasia was a source of visual relief. The pale green tee going well with the grey chinos, a bystander acknowledging the choice of colours was in the scheme of things.

But the spontaneous act touched a raw nerve. Taking little note of the compliment, Chowrasia muttered, "It's difficult to find a plain T-shirt these days."

The crisscrossing of continents eating into resources, Chowrasia is getting used to donning shirts sans a sponsor's logo.

The remorse was obvious, but the feel of an arm on the shoulder shook him out of the state. "Driving or putting, the onus is on you," smiled Shiv Kapur, drawing near to complete the embrace. Shiv's formative years were spent negotiating the tight fairways here, but Chowrasia's association with the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), has taken the connect to another level.

"Undoubtedly, the DGC ranks right up there," he said, referring to the epochal win at the Indian Masters (in 2008), which catapulted him from the shadows to stardom.

Shiv's remarks were made in mirth but a while later, the giant screen, on the edge of the 18th green, stood testimony to Chowrasia's unabashed love affair with this quaint Lodhi Course.

"It's difficult to explain but whenever I set foot here, the feel that all's well comes to stay," he said, in between handshakes. The Indian duo had upstaged world No. 55 Edoardo Molinari and Indian Open champion Rikard Karlberg, comprising a Rest of the World outfit, in a skills challenge.

Putting, a traditional strength, was Chowrasia's bane at the DLF Masters two weeks ago, and saw him settle for a T6. On Tuesday, the putter held out hope. "You're living up to your nickname (Chipputtsia)," quipped one. Pat came the reply, "Call it the effect of the greens."