Top Five Things to Watch Out for at the 2015 Indian Open
It's tough, it's mean and it's very unforgiving - the Delhi Golf Club is all set for the Indian Open. Tiger Woods being the brand ambassador, makes it even bigger.
It's the week that the entire Indian golfing fraternity waits for, the week of the Indian Open. 2015 is all set to see a bigger and meaner national Open that tees off on the 19th of February.
Here are the top 5 things to watch out for at the Hero Indian Open:
India on the European Tour map
Let's start with the biggie- The Indian Open is now a European Tour event starting 2015. The $ 1.5 million event has been tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Indian Golf Union or the IGU. That's means a top-of-the-line field and more exposure for domestic players on the European Tour. The biggest draw this time around is 21-time winner on the European Tour, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez.
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Battle of the favourites
All eyes will be on Anirban Lahiri who's coming off a spectacular win at the Malaysian open, his maiden European Tour title. He's been in sublime form off late.
Arjun Atwal too is one to watch out for. Fresh from his fairly recent win at the Dubai Open, the 1-time winner on the PGA Tour is high on confidence
SSP Chowrasia is someone you can never count out at the Delhi Golf Club. He has an amazing record at the course having won 2 international events at the DGC.
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The Tiger Woods factor
Tiger Woods coming on board as Hero Motorcorp's brand ambassador has added the X-factor to the event. Tiger's maiden visit to India and playing a round at the DGC has further reiterated that Indian golf is now truly global. Add to that, the mystery of Tiger Wood's next visit to India since he's committed to playing the Indian Open once in the next 3 years. Sadly though, not in the 2015 edition.
Let's get this monkey off our back!
India's biggest name in golf, Jeev Milkha Singh, hasn't ever won the Indian Open nor has 5-time winner on the Asian Tour, Gaganjeet Bhullar.
DGC-bred pros Shiv Kapur and Rashid Khan would look to convert their home advantage into a win. While Jyoti Randhawa and Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra will look to get back to winning ways at the National Open.
The demons of the Delhi Golf Club
It's tough, its mean and it's very unforgiving- the Delhi Golf Club has a notorious reputation amongst golfers Indian and foreign with its narrow fairways, thick bush and numerous bunkers. Bringing you driver out of the bag needs some courage so watch out for the perils that the course will bring to the European field.