RESILIENT KAPUR READY TO BOUNCE BACK FROM INJURY AT THE ROYAL CUP

Pattaya – Chonburi, 22 July 2018: India’s Shiv Kapur will be looking to put his injury woes behind when he bids for a successful title defence at the Royal Cup, which gets underway at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club from July 26 to 29.

Kapur was forced to stay out of action for the past two weeks due to a bone spur in his left foot and tendinitis in his right wrist. While he has yet to recover fully, the 36-year-old Indian is hopeful of repeating his success when he returns to Thailand for the US$500,000 event.

“I started feeling a sharp pain in my left foot and found out that I have a bone spur in my left foot and tendinitis in my right wrist. I tried playing through the pain but it became too frustrating so I decided to take two weeks off to get treated,” said Kapur.

The father of one will draw inspiration from his winning memories from last December when he won the Royal Cup for his fourth Asian Tour victory.

In doing so, Kapur also became the only player to win three titles in the 2017 season on the region’s premier Tour.

“With our line of work, it is so hard to take long breaks. I had physiotherapy and laser therapy but I knew the best way to get treated was to take a break. Now I am at a 70%, I am trying not to play more than two weeks in a row and hoping I will peak at the right time.

“I expected myself to perform at the same level following the win but I had a bit of a letdown this year with the injuries,” added Kapur, who had closed with a four-under-par 67 to win by one shot over Prom Meesawat of Thailand.

After claiming his breakthrough in Thailand in 2005, Kapur endured a long 12-year wait before securing his second title in Chinese Taipei last April. He went on to win the Panasonic Open India on home soil in November before capping off a dream season with a third win at the Royal Cup.

“After I won my first tournament in 2017, my goal was to become a multiple winner. To win three times in the season is like a dream season for me. Especially winning in front of my daughter and my wife, who came out to watch me. It was very special. I had a few lean years before last year so the wins just gave me the boost I needed,” said Kapur.

Kapur will be joined by compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar, Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Prom Meesawat, as well as American John Catlin, the first player to win twice on the Asian Tour this season, in the Thai showpiece.

Held in honour of King Rama X, the 2018 Royal Cup will take place in conjunction with the 66th birthday celebration of His Majesty, which falls on July 28, Saturday.

The Royal Cup marks the Tour’s fourth stop in Thailand this season following the Qualifying School in January, the Thailand Open in May and the Queen’s Cup last month, where Jazz Janewattananond surmounted a strong back-nine charge to claim his second Asian Tour title.

LIVE TV Broadcasting will be on True Sport HD 3 on True Visions during 13:00-16:00hrs on Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 July. Admission ticket for spectator is available at Ticket Booth near public entrance at the golf club at 100THB/person/day on 26-29 July. Free admission for spectator age under 18 and over 60 years old. Gate opening time is at 08:00hrs daily.

Royal Cup 2018 is sponsored by Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), P.Overseas Steel PLC, PTT Group, True Visions, Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club, Advanced Info Service PLC, Port Authority of Thailand.