Indian golf gets a new hero in Chinnaswamy Muniyappa

New Delhi: The Indian Open Trophy has been pocketed by an Indian. But the name etched on the trophy is a new one - Chinnaswamy Muniyappa.

Muniyappa picked up the game on his own and doesn't even have a coach.

The win his first Asian Tour title and the future promises many more.

It was hard to pick a winner on Day 4. There was the Korean, Lee Sung, who could not hear the applause or congratulate the winner.

He had loads of talent and grit to make up for not being able to hear or speak.

But this was just not his day no matter how he tried as the glory was reserved for a shy rookie from Bangalore..

Muniyappa held his nerve in the playoff to add his name to list of Indian golfing greats.

"This is the first year I am playing on Asian Tour. I have played 10 events in Asian Tour and learnt a lot. Before this I didn't had a sponsor or money to go and play. Now I have got money and I can play in European Tour," says Muniyappa.

He may have been an unassuming winner. But he sure had the backing of his compatriots who did not quite make the same impact.

"Muniyappa is a very good player. He deserves to be a tournament winner. He has been playing really well in India and on the Asian Tour," says Arjun Atwal.

"What I have heard is that he is really impressive and not really scared. So that's the attitude you need to win tournaments," says Gaganjeet Bhullar.

Muniyappa follows in the steps of another caddie-turned-pro SSP Chowrasia who won the Indian Masters last year.

Muniyappa learnt golf watching others play and a chance tip from a fellow pro changed his playing style helping him win his first Asian title.

"Digvijay (Singh) saw me and told me that everybody in Asian Tour and European Tour turns left and plays. That helped me," reveals Muniyappa.

The first step of the journey is now complete but there is a long way to go before he can trade shots with his idol Tiger Woods.

"I watch Tiger Woods playing on television and pressure he handles," he adds.

Every sport loves a new hero and Muniyappa is nothing short of one. It is just the beginning for the quiet, unassuming 32-year-old.

Who knows, he may just win the same tournament in the future on his home turf.