Indian Open Golf to Debut on Prestigious European Tour
India's National Open of golf will be held from February 19-22 and will feature talent from all corners of the world. The prize money has been raised to US $ 1.5 million
Golf fans in India are in for a delight as the Indian Open will make its debut on the prestigious and highly competitive European Tour in February 2015. India's National Open of golf will be held from February 19-22 and will feature golfing talent from all corners of the world. Nimbus Sport in partnership with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) will manage and promote the Indian Open from 2015 to 2017. (Anirban Lahiri set for defining season at European Masters)
In its glorious 51st edition, India's premier golf event will join an international schedule comprising of 45 tournaments across 25 countries with cumulative prize money of over Euro 133 million. With its inclusion in one of the world's biggest tours, the prize money for Indian Open has also been increased to US $ 1.5 million.
The tournament will provide unmatched playing opportunities for golfing talent from India, offering them the critical home turf advantage and at the same time taking the international competition to the next level.
Speaking in Mumbai on Thursday, Raian Irani, president IGU, said, "The Indian Open has been the pride of Indian golf for 50 years on-the-trot. Now that the bar has been further raised, I am sure that winning the Indian Open will be on every golfer's wishlist, locally and globally."
Sunil Manocha, COO, Nimbus Sport said, "Golf is taking great strides in the country today and with the iconic Indian Open debuting on the European Tour the stage is bigger than ever for players and fans alike. As India's leading sports management company, we are delighted to be playing a key role in helping India get its own presence on the international golfing calendar and look forward to an exciting, competitive and thrilling event in 2015."
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: "We are delighted to announce the Indian Open will be part of The Race to Dubai in 2015 and we look forward to returning to India, following five editions of the Avantha Masters from 2008-13.
Golf is a sport that is continuing to gain popularity in India and this is an important market for The European Tour, so it is significant for us to be part of the country's national Open, along with the Asian Tour, with whom we enjoy such a strong relationship across many events."