Kapur eager to break into top 100 by year end

New Delhi: Having skipped the inaugural Panasonic Open to "recharge his batteries", ace Indian golfer

Shiv Kapur is aiming to break into the top 100 of world rankings by the end of this year. Kapur, who finished third at last year`s Indian Open and was tied third at the recently concluded Trophy Hassan II in Morocco, said he is coming closer to his target but needs to work hard to be at the top of his form. "I have been playing well and reaching closer to the finish line. I am pleased with my performance but I am continuing to work hard to improve certain aspects of my game, particularly the short game," the golfer who is currently placed at 295 in the ranking list said. "I want to break into to the top 100 golfers and I am also looking forward to make it to the `Race to Dubai`," Kapur added. The 29-year-old is looking forward to carry the good work into the future tournaments and is working on his fitness to cope with the hectic schedule. "I will be playing in South Korea, Malaysia and China, all having different weather conditions so it is important to be in good shape, I am spending some time in the gym working upon my physical fitness," Kapur, a regular on the European Tour, said. Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of a media briefing here Kapur, an ardent follower of cricket said, "The World Cup victory will help the country to evolve as a sporting nation." "Earlier, we were perceived as someone who don`t have the toughness to be at the top but we have proved that we have the makeup to be the best," Kapur emphasised. Asked whether the World Cup win will inspire the country`s golfers in the 2016 Olympics -- the year the sport makes its debut at the mega-event -- Kapur replied, "Having won the Asian Games gold I know what it means. Olympics is couple of notches up and I am looking forward to it.” "It will be five years from now, so I will be at my peak at that time and I see no reason why India cannot make a mark at the big stage," he added. Kapur yesterday withdrew from the inaugural Panasonic Open, which teed off today at Delhi Golf Club. PTI