17 year old Auckland based Fijian citizen, Rajat Rai is making waves on the golf course after finishing first at the Western Amateur Golf Championship 2024 in Denarau which also sees him earning a World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Speaking to fijivillage News from Auckland, Rajat says his hard work paid off particularly in the last round where he shot 9 birdies to achieve a score of (-5) 67, two shots clear off Shakeel Pillay after 54 holes.
Rajat will now compete in the Asian Amateur Golf Championship in Japan in October.
He started playing golf at the age of 5 and started getting coached from the age of 6.
Rajat attended Marina View School for his primary education and is currently at Westlake Boys High School in year 12.
He has gone on to represent Harbour Golf (district level) at inter-provisional championships in the under 16 and under 19 category since he was 14 years old.
Rajat is currently the number 1 player in the under 19 category for Harbour Golf in Auckland.
He won his “match play” games against both Auckland and Northland under 19 number 1 players this year.
The 17 year old also plays for the Men’s Pennants team (Inter-club) which came second in this year’s competition.
Rajat also captains Westlake Boys High School premium golf team.
He was placed second in the 52nd Fiji Golf Open in the Amateur category age 15 last year and placed 26th/60 at the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in Australia.
Rajat qualified in 2020 to play at the World Stars Las Vegas and World Stars California arguably the largest junior golf tournament in the world where only two players get to qualify per age group however he did not take part in the tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions. Rajat is currently is working towards a US College golf scholarship after completing high school next year.
He has signed up with ASM Sports founded by Ernie Els, who are assisting him with his golf scholarship.
Rajat’s dream is to represent Fiji at golf tournaments around the world.
Rajat says he puts in a lot of hours per week practising which placed him in good stead for the Western Amateur Championship.
He says stiff competition and good course conditions meant that he could execute his game plan. Rajat says he loves coming back home to play in local competitions which also gives him the chance to visit his family.
Rajat is the son of Kirat Rai Narayan and Keemti Subrail.
Kirat and Keemti and were both born and brought up in Tamavua, Suva.
Kirat left Fiji at the age of 15 to attend boarding school in Auckland and then moved to Wellington to study at Victoria University of Wellington. Keemti went to USP to further her studies.
Rajat’s father, Kirat says Rajat excelled in studies, golf and soccer from an early age.
He says Rajat’s golf coach at that time suggested that he takes up golf as his main sport as he could see Rajat’s potential.
Kirat says Rajat is very passionate about golf and devotes a lot of time towards his golf practice and frequents the gym for physical fitness.
He says Rajat’s typical week comprises of one coaching session, three practice rounds and two rounds of 18 holes per week when he is not travelling for tournaments.
Kirat says when most kids are playing computer games or are out and about with friends, Rajat is at the golf course perfecting his craft.
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