Mumbai, 26-11-2013

Harendra to renew rivalry with Rashid in Rs 1 cr. CG Open

Crompton Greaves Limited (CG), part of the US$ 4 bn Avantha Group, and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), today announced the schedule for the CG Open 2013.The CG Open will be played at Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Mumbai, from November 27 - 30. The Pro-Am event will be played on December 1.

Defending champion Harendra Gupta will have to contend with the likes of current leader, PGTI Order of Merit Rashid Khan and ‘rookie’ Angad Cheema, some of the young golfers in form, in the Rs 1 crore prize money CG Open 2013, which will tee off on Wednesday.

Besides the above mentioned names, also seen in action will be some of the PGTI’s seasoned pros like Ashok Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Shamim Khan, Digvijay Singh, Amandeep Johl, POm Prakash Chouhan  and Manav Jaini, to name a few, promising an action packed four days of golf in one of the country’s premier golfing events.

Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO & Managing Director, Mr. Laurent Demortier said, “The CG-Open golf tournament delivers a one-of-kind experience filled with tradition and excellence showcasing elite national players. It continues to be one of India’s much awaited major golf tournaments.In its 7- year history, CG Open has had many dramatic and captivating moments, raising the bar with each passing year, endorsing talent and furthering the game of golf. I wish the players the very best and am sure that we would experience some exciting golf at this year’s CG Open.”

Speaking on the occasion, Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “The CG Open is one of the marquee events on the PGTI calendar and an important week on the tour in western India. The 2013 edition of the tournament is set to witness some high quality golfing action as the race for the Rolex Rankings crown enters its final and most exciting phase. We thank CG for their committed support to Indian professional golf through the staging of this event for the last seven years. The CG Open’s handsome prize purse of Rs. 1 crore has contributed towards making the sport was just more competitive.”

Harendra Gupta, who had won the title last year after a playoff with Rashid Khan, admitted, there was a certain amount of pressure as defending champion, but he would try and give his best. “It is finally a sport and whoever plays well on that day will emerge winner,” he said. He also acknowledged the threat from Rashid Khan, who, he felt, was playing extremely well at the moment.

Rashid Khan, the current hot property on the PGTI circuit, said he was not looking at any particular player as competition, but would just focus on getting his own game right. “I have been involved in quite a few playoffs and lost most of them, but my win last week against Angad in the Avantha event was very satisfying,” said the leader, who has already earned Rs 29 lakhs in prize money.



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. Srinivasan H R (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