YOUNG golfer Vikrant Chandra is confident of defending his Fiji Golf Club Championship amateur title when the event begins at the Vatuwaqa Golf Course today.
The 23-year-old said he had been finding it hard to practice with studies and exams but is keeping his fingers crossed for a positive outing.
"I was not able to commit more time to training because of studies at University of the South Pacific and with exams coming up," Chandra said.
But I am going for another win and would really like to retain my title, he said.
This will be his second Fiji Golf Club Championship appearance and he says he will face tough competition from the other amateurs.
"I know this course well and I know there will be tough competition from other amateurs like Olaf Allen Jnr, Amitesh Chandra, Arunesh Chandra and Rohit Chandra.
"But I am confident of retaining my title this weekend," Chandra said.
Meanwhile, Fiji Golf Club spokesman Kevin Maitava confirmed a total of 213 golfers are expected to take the field today.
"We have 161 professional and amateur local men and 52 women taking part," Maitava said.
"Of the 161 men, 24 overseas based professionals are also competing at the event," he said.
The tournament will end on Monday.