SSP Chowrasia has already played two tournaments after the pandemic-induced seven-month break.

From Thursday, he plays his third tournament, the Cyprus Open in Paphos, and the ace golfer wants to see his name higher up the leaderboard.

“I am happy to be back. In the first two tournaments I played well keeping in mind that I have not participated in competitive golf since the first week of March. Now the target is to see my name higher up in the leaderboard,” SSP told The Telegraph from Paphos. “I will be playing here for the first time and the course looks good. It gives advantage to both the long and short-hitters. The course, I would say, suits my style of play,” he added.

In the Scottish Championship, his first tournament on return, SSP finished tied 51st and in the Italian Open he failed to make the cut.

“When you play in the European Tour or USPGA, you cannot dwell on your last tournament. Yes I missed the cut in Italian Open, but that’s part of the game. You have to be mentally strong and come back with a bang. That’s what we do, week in and week out. For that, good scores are very important for me over the next four days,” he said.

In the Scottish Championship SSP started well with two consecutive three-unders but a four-over on the third day ruined his tournament.

“The weather was bad. It was chilly and windy. From Calcutta where it was sultry, landing into such a bad weather… It took some time to get acclimatised. The problem is a golfer cannot have much layers on his body to beat the cold, since that can affect the swing. Also the course was for the long-hitters and not me. Still I would say it was a good beginning. If the weather had been kinder, I could have performed better,” he said.

In Cyprus, SSP will play two tournaments. The Cyrpus Classic is scheduled from November 5-8 and after that he is planning to return to Calcutta. “Maybe for a week with family and then if I get the visa then I’m off to South Africa for three tournaments.”

SSP intends to play in the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship and SA Open.

The SA Open ends on December 6 and after that it’s return to base (Calcutta) once again. “As of now that’s the plan.” That makes him available for the Tata Steel PGTI Yearend Championship to be played in Jamshedpur. “Yes I will be there for the year-end meet. That’s something I do not want to miss.”

SSP may be enjoying his time on the fairway, but someone is not. Pixie, his Labrador, is missing him badly. “Whenever I have a video call with my wife, Pixie will barge in. And then she hears my voice, turns around and leaves. That’s her way of protesting my absence. In the last seven months, she has got used to my staying at home,” SSP said.