Greater Noida, 12-03-2013
First Avantha winner, Andrew Dodt loves coming back to India
Andrew Dodt calls the Avantha Masters his favourite tournament. And he has good reason to do that for his first and thus far, the only European Tour win, came at the Avantha Masters in 2010.
Dodt, 26, is back for more at the fourth edition of the Avantha Masters. The winner of the first edition in 2010, said, “Yeah, it’s one of my favourite events on the Tour, so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s obviously a different course this year and I haven’t been out there yet so don’t know what to expect, but hopefully it suits my game and I can have a good week.”
Speaking of his memories of that fantastic win in 2010, he said, “It really kick-started my career on The European Tour. It probably hasn’t gone as well since as I would’ve liked it to, but I managed to keep my card by the skin of my teeth and had some decent results at the start of this season, so hopefully this tournament can be good to me again.”
Dodt, who enjoys experimenting with food, is among those who are not averse to a bit of spice off the course. Speaking of his liking for spicy food, he added, “I think you have to when you come out here, because there’s not too many alternatives! I enjoy trying different foods and experimenting – it’s all part of the experience.”
He added, “I really like the culture and the people, because they’re so friendly. Its’ certainly very different to Europe and I love the climate too – it feels like being back home in Australia.”
Dodt just about managed to keep his European Tour card with a gutsy showing at the 2012 Hong Kong Open where a tied 37th place finish kept him in 118th place in The Race to Dubai, the second-last exempt spot.
He took up Affiliate Membership of The European Tour the week before the Avantha Masters in New Delhi and prospered immediately by winning in India in his first start of 2010.
Earlier he played on the Asian Tour in 2009, when finished 15th in the Order of Merit. In 2008 he came close to his first Asian Tour victory but was beaten in a play-off for the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters by Thongchai Jaidee.
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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.
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