Golfer Thangaraja runner-up in Chennai Open  

Nadaraja Thangaraja

Nadaraja Thangaraja is not an unfamiliar name in the golf course. Though starting the game at the age of 27,

Nadaraja shot up in the field after winning the 2011 Sri Lanka Amateur Championship. Through the years, he has performed admirably in a plethora of national and international level tournaments. Last week, Thangaraja became runner-up at the Chennai Open Golf Championship 2022.  

Thangaraja said: “Many seasoned and high ranked players were present at this tournament. Their standards were much higher in comparison. Around 126 players entered the tournament but after two rounds, there was a cut and they only chose 50 players for the next two rounds.

“The first day, PGTI rank No. 4 Karandeep Kochhar was leading and on the second and third days, I was leading. Unfortunately, PGTI ranks No. 3 Manu Gandas caught up with me on the last day but I managed to beat the winner of the Players Championship 2022, the previous week of the circuit, Khalin Joshi, who finished third.” 

Speaking further, Thangaraja said: “I started playing golf when I was 27-years-old. Prior to that, I worked as a caddy at the Water’s Edge Golf Course. Actually, I didn’t like golf in those days. Shyama Perera encouraged me and supported me to play golf. After that, I picked up the sport quickly and joined the National team. 

“There I won and performed well in various tournaments in India, Pakistan, Thailand and Singapore. In 2013, I entered professional golf. So far, I have won five professional level tournaments and came second four times.” 

Talking of his future plans, Thangaraja said: “My hope is to play in the European circuit in the near future but that itself is very costly. Actually, after the price hike, it’s been getting tougher to afford and continue in the game. There are around 24 tournaments a year and about two events are held consecutively. 

“Then there’s a 1-2-week break but we only get facilities to practice there around one-day prior to the next tournament. We need to get the facilities to play and train more. Equipment is also quite expensive and I fund them myself. I am currently seeking a sponsor to support me to continue in golf.”