August 14th 2013: Indian stalwart Gaganjeet Bhullar has been recommended for the Arjuna award in golf for his success on the amateur and professional stage, reported The Indian Express.

Bhullar enjoyed a tremendous year on the Asian Tour in 2012 when he won two events at the Yeangder Tournament Players’ Championship in Chinese Taipei and Venetian Macau Open.

He ended the 2012 season in fifth position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a haul of US$451,245.

Before turning professional, Bhullar was also a member of the silver-medal winning Indian team in the 2006 Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar.

“It feels great to know that my name has been recommended for the Arjuna award. It will certainly boost my confidence. In the past, golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa have won the award and I feel lucky to join their company in the prestigious list of the awards,” said Bhullar.

“Last year was something I would cherish all my life. I won twice on the Asian Tour and I was hitting the ball well. This year, too I had some close finishes and I am eager to do well. I last played in the Russia Open and will be taking a break of two weeks. Then I will be playing in Switzerland and Taepie before I play a total of 12 consecutive tournaments,” he added.

Highly regarded as one of the next stars to emerge from India, Bhullar has been spending time with German coach Peter Wolfenstetter in Munich as he prepares for a bumper second half of the Asian Tour season.

“I had a two-week stint with Wolfenstetter earlier this year and it has helped me a lot. We worked on ball striking, which is a key aspect of game while playing in Europe, and his inputs have helped me a lot,” said the four-time Asian Tour winner.

Arjun Atwal, the first Indian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2003, won the Arjuna award back in 2007 .