Chowrasia hopes to get back to winning ways at Avantha Masters

Indian golfer and defending champion S.S.P. Chowrasia believes he is capable of pulling off a hat-trick of wins on home soil when the Avantha Masters tees off at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Chowrasia has shown his knack for winning at home with his two Asian Tour victories coming on Indian soil and welcomes the challenge from an elite field that includes two-time Major winner John Daly of the United States, 2004 British Open winner Todd Hamilton of the United States, 2010 Avantha Masters winner Andrew Dodt of Australia and China's Liang Wen-chong.

Since winning his second Asian Tour title here last year, Chowrasia's winning form has deserted him with the 33-year-old failing to make the cut in several of the events he played after that.

However, with the new season getting underway, Chowrasia is confident of getting back to winning ways.

"I am beginning to get my swing back and I am happy with how my game's shaping up," said Chowrasia.

"Everyone wants to get their season off to a great start and I am no different. I started the season with an early win last year and I believe that I can do the same again this week," added the Indian of his title ambitions at the tournament, which holds a significant place on the Asian Tour Schedule and is the richest in India, thanks to its $2.3 million prize fund.

Meanwhile, Liang, who was the first Chinese player to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2007, hopes that his return to India will be another unforgettable one.

Liang created headlines in 2008 when he not only secured his second Asian Tour win at the Hero Honda Indian Open, he also set a new 18-hole Tour record with a stunning 12-under-par 60 in the opening round.

"Obviously returning to India brings back lots of good memories as I have a good track record here. That is important as it sets you in the right frame of mind for the rest of the week," said Liang.

Dodt, after two barren years since his last victory in 2010, hopes that he can return to the winner's circle with another triumphant performance at the tournament, tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and PGTI.

"Each time I come through the front entrance, it brings back good memories and hopefully I can take back with me again this week," said Dodt.