SSP Chawrasia's mission Olympics in New Year under new coach

Kolkata: Battling a minor neck sprain, Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia is all set for a new beginning under coach Vijay Divecha in 2016 which will also be a testing time for him to make the cut for Rio Olympics, a first for the sport since 1904.

"The top-two will lead India's challenge and I'm pretty close in getting there. Olympics is a big motivation and a good performance will give the sport a big boost," the unassuming Kolkata lad told PTI on Friday while undergoing a rehab to treat his neck sprain that he sustained while working out.

The 37-year-old who finished fourth in the 2015 Asian Tour rankings is tipped to make the cut along with India numero uno and world ranked 40 Anirban Lahiri, who's also coached by the Bengaluru-based Divecha.

Members of the Asian Team in the second EurAsia Cup, they will meet at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club in Malaysia next week as Chawrasia will chalk out his roadmap for Rio 2016.

Without a coach for about four years, Chawrasia is looking forward to meet Divecha.

"I did not have a coach for three-four years. But to iron out certain flaws which has crept into my game I need a coach.

So, I will seek his (Divecha) advice. I'll have to take it to the next level and widen the gap so as to qualify for Olympics, but I'm ready," Chawrasia said.

Chawrasia said he would have to shift his base to Bengaluru also then fix the dates after consulting Divecha.

The inaugural Indian Masters champion earlier in December failed to make the cut for British Open narrowly with two late bogeys in the final round of the Thailand Golf Championship.

"I don't want to dwell on the past. This happens in golf. You may play well for 14 holes and then your form dips in the last four. If you start thinking about what it could have been, then how will you look ahead?" he said.

As of now, he is focussed on winning the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM from January 15-17 in Malaysia.

Team Asia is led by non-playing captain Jeev Milkha Singh with Lahiri and Chawrasia apart from a host of other top players from Asia.

"Thankfully my injury is not serious and I'll be fine with the physiotherapy treatment. I will start practising in a week's time. We've a good team and we're hopeful of winning the title this time," added Chawrasia.

The winning team will share a prize money of USD 3.6 million while the runners-up will share USD 1.2 million in the battle between Team Asia versus Team Europe.

Team Asia will be represented by Lahiri, Chawrasia, Thongchai Jaidee, Danny Chia, Byeonghun An, Shingo Katayama, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, KT Kim, Nicholas Fung, Jeunghun Wang, Prayad Marksaeng and Wu Ashun.

Team Europe will feature Danny Willet, Ross Fisher, Victor Dubuisson, Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Bernd Wiesberger, Soren Kjeldsen, Kristoffer Broberg, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.