Bhullar to make Open dream

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar will finally live out his childhood dream of playing in the world's oldest major.

He will tee up at the British Open in Turnberry next week.

From his days as the country's top amateur in 2004 to winning the team silver medal at the Doha Asian Games in 2006, his talent has been unmistakable.

Since turning professional and joining the play for pay ranks on the Asian Tour in 2006, Bhullar has been billed as one of the hottest young stars to come out of the Tour.

The Indian has already posted three top-10s on the Asian Tour this season. He also came agonisingly close to winning his maiden title during his rookie year at the 2007 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational, losing out to Juvic Pagunsan by a single shot when the Filipino eagled the final hole.

"I've been watching the British Open since I was a kid and it has always been my dream to play there," said the 20-year-old year Indian from Kapurthala, who enjoyed 10 amateur wins in the domestic circuit before turning professional in 2006.

After earning the right to be at Turnberry by winning the International Final Qualifying - Asia at Sentosa Golf Club in April, Asian golf fans will now await in bated breath on just how well the young Indian talent will perform against the game's elite.

"I'll just keep myself relaxed irrespective of the big names the Open will have. Whenever I play with a free mind, I'll get good results. My goal is to play in all four rounds in Turnberry which I'm confident I'll do," said Bhullar who is also the youngest Indian to qualify for the British Open at the age of 20.

"Playing alongside the best players in the world will give me added confidence. I'll learn a lot of new things and it'll do a world of good for me in all the tournaments I play afterwards," added the Indian.

As Bhullar prepares himself for his maiden Major debut, he is also counting on the sound advice from his sports psychologist to give him that added edge.

"The mental aspect of the game is always crucial and I've managed to turn my game around by following my doctor's advice of sticking closely to my usual routine without getting too distracted by the end result," said Bhullar who credits Dr. Pradeep Aggarwal for turning his game around.

"Once I can get into the rhythm of playing my own game, the results will naturally come," said Bhullar.

Bhullar will be part of a strong Asian Tour contingent who will feature in the year's third major.

Joining him in the starting line-up at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry are fellow compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, China's Liang Wen-chong, New Zealand's Mark Brown and the Australian duo of Terry Pilkadaris and Tim Stewart.