Rashid Khan eager to reignite season at Indonesian Masters

Jakarta: India's Rashid Khan is keen to reignite his season with a strong performance when the 750,000 USD CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters gets underway at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 23-26.

Fresh off a top-25 finish on home soil in February, Khan is determined to improve on his form and get another good result at Indonesia's premier golf tournament.
There's no reason why I cannot get another good result in Jakarta. It's all about self-belief and whether you can do it.

"Nothing is impossible and you just got to tell yourself you can do it," said Khan. Khan finished ninth at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters last year and will face another stern test with the likes of former world number one Lee Westwood of England, Korea's Y.E. Yang and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn expected to draw the crowds to the Royale Jakarta Golf Club later this month.

The 24-year-old broke through in a big way by winning twice on the region's premier Tour last year and buoyed with confidence, Khan knows he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

"Winning tournaments on the Asian Tour is always special and those two wins have given me lots of confidence. "I've improved a lot since then and as long as I believe in myself, I'll do well," said Khan.

The Indian has grown in maturity and stature since he first made his attempt at earning his Tour card on the region's premier Tour through Qualifying School. He had to swallow the bitter pill on numerous occasions most notably when he missed out on a top-40 finish at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

With limited playing opportunities, Khan was again left to rue another missed opportunity when he lost in a play-off on home soil in 2013.

But the Indian finally found success with his two victories at home and in Chiangmai last year and will be seeking a third at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.

"I don't give up. Even when I don't win, I try harder again and that is my secret to success," said Khan.

Sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the PGA Tour of Indonesia, the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters, which is presented by Enjoy Jakarta Golf, will feature 24 Indonesian golfers, 20 professionals from the PGA Tour of Indonesia and four of Indonesia's top amateurs who will compete in the 150 player field over 72 holes of individual stroke play.