Viraj Madappa Shines at Mandiri Indonesia Open Post-Injury

Jakarta, Aug 28 (PTI) - Viraj Madappa, who had been sidelined for a significant portion of the 2024 season due to a back injury, demonstrated signs of recovery and prowess with an impressive first round of 5-under 67, positioning himself tied for fourth at the Mandiri Indonesia Open on Thursday. Madappa began with ten consecutive pars from the start, followed by an impressive six birdies, one bogey, and one par over the remaining eight holes. Notable performances among other Indian golfers included Karandeep Kochhar with a round of 68, placing him at T-12, while S Chikkarangappa and Yuvraj Sandhu both scored 69, putting them at T-22. Khalin Joshi posted a 70 to settle at T-40, whereas SSP Chawrasia and Rahil Gangjee scored 71 each, placing them at TN-57. Ajeetesh Sandhu's round of 72 ranked him T-75, and Aman Raj was 4-over through 16 holes. Leading the leaderboard at Pondok Indah Golf Course was Vanchai Luangnitikul, showcasing his talent alongside other Thai golfers. The 23-year-old from Phuket finished the day at seven-under-par 65. Right behind Vanchai in tied second were his fellow countrymen Suteepat Prateeptienchai and Tanapat Pichaikool, both boasting bogey-free rounds of 66. Viraj Madappa, 27, is currently playing under a medical exemption, having missed nearly two years of action due to a lower back disc injury. Remarkably, he made a triumphant return earlier this year by winning a domestic tournament in India at his first start post-injury. Reflecting on his comeback, Madappa shared, "After not playing at all for about 15-16 months, I only got back to swinging the club properly in March this year. This hiatus has significantly shifted my perspective on my game." He further added, "Prior to my injury, I was overly critical of myself, imposing unnecessary pressure with high expectations. It led me to stop enjoying the game. The long absence was difficult and frustrating, but it made me realize my passion and love for golf." "Now, I'm approaching the game with gratitude and joy, savoring each shot with a sense of fun. This mindset has made a significant difference."

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