Chennai, 28-02-2018
Chennai Open Golf Championship returns for its second edition
• Prize money of Rs. 30 lakh
• Top names in the field include defending champ Mukesh Kumar, Shamim Khan, PGTI Order of Merit leader Syed Saqib Ahmed, Shankar Das, M Dharma
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The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, today announced the Chennai Open 2018 Golf Championship which will be held at the Madras Gymkhana Club Golf Annexe at Guindy from March 1 - 4, 2018. The tournament which returns for its second edition will carry a prize purse of Rs. 30 lakh. The Pro-Am event preceding the tournament was held on February 28.
The tournament which will witness participation by 123 golfers is supported by Powered by Partner Fruitnik and Associate Partners Mantri Group, LIC and Pirelli. Besides India's leading professionals, the field will also feature professionals from countries such as Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia.
The top Indian professionals in the field include Shamim Khan (2017 PGTI Order of Merit champion), defending champion Mukesh Kumar (2016), Syed Saqib Ahmed (2018 PGTI Order of Merit leader), Shankar Das, M Dharma, Harendra Gupta and Feroz Ali Mollah, to name a few.
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The foreign challenge will be led by the Sri Lankan quartet of Anura Rohana, Mithun Perera, N Thangaraja and K Prabagaran as well as Australian Kunal Bhasin, Bangladesh's Md Zamal Hossain Mollah and South Africans Albie Hanekom and Romano Saincic.
The local challenge consists of Chennai-based professionals, rookie Shivnaren Srinivasan, Sandeep Syal, Ilayaraja C, C Arul and Selvaraj P. The other golfer from Tamil Nadu is Vashista S Pawar of Coimbatore.
Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “The inaugural edition of the Chennai Open in 2016 helped PGTI further strengthen its foothold in southern India. The PGTI seeks to build on the gains achieved in 2016 through the staging of the second edition of the event this year. We thank the Madras Gymkhana Club Golf Annexe for partnering with us in holding the event. A visual treat of some high quality golfing action awaits sports fans in Chennai.â€Â
Mr. G Suresh, Captain, Madras Gymkhana Club Golf Annexe, said, “We look forward to hosting the leading professionals in the country during the Chennai Open. The inaugural edition of the tournament staged in 2016 was a major step towards reviving golf in Chennai. The second edition of the event is set to generate even greater interest as local professional Shivnaren Srinivasan is part of the field. A good performance by Shivnaren could be the spark that could encourage more youngsters in the city to take to the sport. We wish the players all the best as the challenge of the MGC's links-style course awaits them.â€Â
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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
