Delhi, 31-10-2017
Panasonic Open India returns for seventh edition
• All Top Indians feature in the field
• Indians have won 5 of the six previous editions
• Past champions Mukesh, Chawrasia, Digvijay and Chiragh in the field
The Panasonic Open India returns for its seventh edition this week and will see the top Indian stars locked in a battle with some of the leading stars from around Asia.
The event, which also forms part of the unique Panasonic Swing, will carry a purse of US $ 400,000 and is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). For the seventh time in succession, the event will be staged at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.
Featuring the young and the experienced Indian professionals, the Panasonic Open India, which was inaugurated in 2011, has been a platform of sorts for many young Indian and Asian golfers.
The Panasonic Open India has welcomed many worthy champions including Anirban Lahiri, Digvijay Singh, Wade Ormsby of Australia, the only international player to win the tournament, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Chiragh Kumar and the defending champion Mukesh Kumar.
The POI India is the second leg of the Panasonic Swing, which is an aggregate points race that spans five events – in Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan – where the Asian Tour players have an opportunity to shoot for a share of the lucrative bonus pool.
Mr. Manish Sharma, President and CEO, Panasonic India & South Asia, said, “Over the course of the last six years, the tournament has presented an opportunity for both amateurs and professionals alike to leave an indelible impact at an international level. With the seventh edition rolling out this year, we will see some great action once again and make it an unforgettable experience.”
“I’d like to thank all the participants and people who have come out here in the support of the game. We sincerely hope that your time here at the open is a fine mix of sporting brilliance and exhibition.”
Asian Tour CEO Josh Burack said: “On behalf of our talented players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Panasonic for its continued support of the Panasonic Open India which goes a very long way in promoting and enhancing the sport in India and across the region.”
“The Asian Tour has a very strong partnership with the PGTI, who we have worked together with for many years. It is truly an honour to have a great sponsor like Panasonic whose passion is to grow the sport and create more playing opportunities for our members.”
Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said: “Golf in India has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years and it is thanks to great sponsors like Panasonic. S.S.P. Chawrasia has enjoyed huge success in 2017 and the future looks bright with the likes of young talent such as Shubhankar Sharma, Khalin Joshi and Chikkarangappa S., among others, who have the potential to follow in Chawrasia’s footsteps.”
The main tournament, to be preceded by a Pro-Am, will be held from November 2 to 5, 2017 at the Delhi Golf Club.
The defending champion Mukesh Kumar was excited to be back to defend his crown. Mukesh said, “I had won a lot of tournaments already on the Indian Tour, but I really wanted to win on the Asian Tour as well. I was really elated and very happy to win the Panasonic Open India last year. It felt really special and I couldn’t believe it myself. I had waited a long time for this.
“This time also my game is shaping up well. I need to work on my putting and my aim would be retaining my trophy.
“Playing at the DGC requires a lot of planning. You have to plan your shots on this course and be adept at course management.”
Shiv Kapur, a winner on the Asian Tour this year, said, “I think the only thing that has eluded me at the Delhi Golf Club is a title on the Asian Tour. I know the course well and this is my home course. I know every blade of grass in a manner of speaking.
“This time I’m going with a bit of reverse psychology, where I’m not the favourite and everyone else is coming in with a lot of form.
“I haven’t played a lot of golf lately and hopefully, I can surprise everyone. I have played just 14 holes in the last month before this week. So, this week I’ll play as if I’m going to play out there with my buddies, hit the same clubs off the tee. For me it’s going to be fun golf and hopefully, that turns out to be my winning formula.
“I have fallen ill a couple of times this season, so I can't say I am 100 percent, but I am looking forward to this course.”
Ajeetesh Sandhu, a winner of two straight events on the Asian Tour in October, another pre-tournament favourite here this week, said, “I have not done much differently. In golf it is just a matter of getting comfortable with your own game, to understand your strengths and your weaknesses. Everyone has them and if you can play with them rather than fight against them, it can only help you. I think I’m just maturing as a person and as a golfer, and that’s been probably the key to my form of late.
“I would really like to thank PGTI because that’s where I’ve learnt to play under pressure. When I was leading in Taiwan, those experiences really shone through.
“Even though golf is an individual sport, I have learnt a lot from seniors. For instance, when I practice in Chandigarh, I play often with Jeev (Milkha Singh) and it is always great to learn from him. He has pretty much been everywhere.”
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
