New Delhi, 23-01-2014
Teams announced for 3rd edition of the Louis Philippe Cup
Jeev Milkha Singh for Delhi, Jyoti Randhawa for Mumbai, SSP Chowrasia for Chennai and Siddikur for Gurgaon
Colombo and Mumbai join the race at India’s official Pro Golf League
The 3rd edition of the Louis Philippe Cup will bring an all-star brigade in the form of Jeev, Jyoti, Anirban, Gaganjeet, Siddikur, SSP Chowrasia, Rashid Khan, Himmat Rai and many others to Mumbai fans in a scintillating display of the best talent ever to compete in Mumbai. Players will compete for nine city teams including a new international team from Colombo and one representing host city Mumbai at Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Mumbai from 17-22 February 2014. The four-day tournament with a prize purse of Rs. 1.2 Crore, is sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), and conceived and promoted by RN Golf Management (RNGM).
The nine city teams are - Navratna Ahmedabad, Puravankara Bangalore, TAKE Chennai, DLF Gurgaon, Jaypee Greens Greater Noida, AVT Kolkata, Dev-Ellora Laqshya Mumbai, Krrish Colombo and Shubhkamna Delhi.
India’s all time greatest golfer ever Jeev Milkha Singh, who played for Noida the last two years will play for Shubhkamna Delhi this season. Last year’s Arjuna awardee in golf, Gaganjeet Bhullar will be seen representing his Jaypee Greens Greater Noida team for the second consecutive year. India’s highest ranked player currently in the world and No 3 on the Asian Tour 2013 Rankings from Bangalore, Anirban Lahiri will wear Puravankara Bangalore’s colours for the third time in a row. The two time European Tour winner SSP Chowrasia will play for TAKE Chennai while Kolkata lad Rahil Gangjee will play for home team AVT Kolkata in 2014, once again. The Mumbai team has bagged the former Asian Tour No. 1, Jyoti Randhawa. The team from Colombo will comprise of the two Sri Lankans – K Prabagaran, N Thangaraja and Delhi lad Himmat Rai as the sponsors pick.
As per the team selection criteria, the top 18 ranked professionals on the final PGTI 2013 Order of Merit will join the sponsor’s pick on each three member team during the four day team competition.
Rookie of the year on the PGTI 2013, Chikkarangappa, who finished 2nd on PGTI’s 2013 Rolex Rankings , has earned himself a spot in the Puravankara Bangalore along with the unconventional Bangalore player M Dharma (8th on Rolex Rankings 2013). Delhi lads Rashid Khan (1st) and Shamim Khan (4th) have successfully retained their spots in the Shubhkamna Delhi team as they look to defend the title they won last year and they will be joined by Jeev Milkha Singh in their quest for a 2nd consecutive Louis Philippe Cup 2014. With steady performances throughout the year, Shankar Das (9th) and Chiragh Kumar (6th) have also regained the AVT Kolkata team berths to play alongside Asian tour regular Rahil Gangjee, also a Kolkata native.
Anirban Lahiri, highest Indian golfer in the world said, “It’s been great playing for Puravankara Bangalore team for the last two years. I feel proud to have the opportunity to represent my home city Bangalore one more time. And, with Chikkarangappa and M Dharma joining me in the team, we will have a lot of fun this year. Chikka is like a younger brother to me and Dharma too is a dear friend and I am sure it will reflect on our game as a team.”
Jyoti Randhawa, who will play for Dev Ellora Laqshya Mumbai this time said, “Louis Philippe Cup coming to Mumbai would be great for the city. For the first time, All the stalwarts of Indian golf are playing in a competitive tournament in front of Mumbai crowd. As a metro, the city was missing a big tournament like this. Louis Philippe Cup will make golf more visible in the city.”
Chiragh Kumar, who will be a part of AVT Kolkata team for the third time in a row, said, “The team format like Louis Philippe Cup always make us encourage our partners. Whenever our tee shot doesn’t get right, we get a chance to tell our team mates to go for a birdie what we actually miss in a regular individual tournament. We are looking forward to clinch the trophy in front of Mumbai crowd this time.”
The unique format of the four day event features two days (36 holes) strokeplay in which all 9 teams will compete. The four teams with the best total team scores over 36 holes will advance to the semi-finals. From the semi-finals onwards the top four teams will play a knockout. Singles matches between the three players of each team will earn each team one point for a win and zero for a loss. The two winning semi-finalist teams will go head-to-head in the finals on the fourth day. While the losing semi finalists will battle for 3rd place.
The winning team stands to take home Rs.36 lacs, while runners-up will earn Rs. 24 lacs. The team finishing in third place will earn Rs.18 lacs and the 4th placed team will receive Rs. 12 lacs. Teams ranked 5 to 8 after the two rounds of strokeplay will battle it out for minor placing while the 9th team will not compete on the final two days.
Speaking on such a momentous occasion, Mr. Jacob John, Brand Head, Louis Philippe, said, “Louis Philippe is proud to be associated with the third edition of the prestigious golf tournament `Louis Philippe Cup’. Louis Philippe symbolises itself with panache and elegance, characteristics that are beautifully reflected in golf. This season, we look forward to an exciting game in the city of Mumbai as 9 city teams compete to win to coveted Louis Philippe Cup.”
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “The Louis Philippe Cup has over the last two years emerged as a strong event on the professional tour. The city-based team matchplay format makes the Louis Philippe Cup uniquely exciting and challenging. The move to Mumbai is very welcome and we look forward to some great golf over the week."
Mr. Rishi Narain, CEO & Founder, RN Golf Management, said, “We are excited with a star studded turnout again at the 3rd edition of this exciting professional golf league format. Mumbai fans will see the highest quality field ever as Jeev returns to the city after some twenty years and this set of players has never been seen in action before in the city. There are a number of competitive teams in the tournament and anyone can win. Whereas, Navratna Ahmedabad, winner of the inaugural edition at KGA, Bangalore, returns with the same three players for the 3rd consecutive year. We are excited that Dev Ellora Laqshya Mumbai will have star Jyoti Randhawa and the talented Md. Zamal of Bangladesh to give the home fans something to cheer about. Golf fans can look forward to another great competition.”
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
