New Delhi: A giant cut-out of Tommy Fleetwood stares at you from the clubhouse; trudge towards the putting greens and you’re welcomed by a smiling Rory McIlroy; go a little further and you’re joined by a triumphant Aaron Rai and an intense Patrick Reed. Lurking thereabouts is the Indian star Shubhankar Sharma as well. It would appear a scene out of a golfing daydream, except, it’s really playing out.
If you’re a golfing aficionado, it’s perhaps time to pinch yourself. Coming as it does on the heels of Pranavi Urs’s historic gold medal at the Asian Games, there’ll arguably be a better time to ride the momentum. The golfing Avengers are set to assemble on the verdant greens of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) for the second installment of DP World India Championships (October 15-18). Offering a prize purse of $4million, the tournament is the heftiest the continent has seen. The presence of three of the four major winners of the year in one tournament is unheard of in India, but with a budget of $17 million, logistics behemoth DP World — the title sponsors of the tournament — has made it possible.
DGC captain and PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl calls it the “IPL moment” for golf in India.
Headlined by six-time Major champion McIlroy, one of only six players in history to win all the Majors, the field also includes defending champion Fleetwood, former Open winner Shane Lowry, and European Ryder Cup captain and former world No.1 Luke Donald. With about 30 entries, Indians will form one-fourth of the field. I want our golfers to show the spirit of (PGTI president) Kapil Dev from 1983 World Cup.
So much so that Indian players are going virtually unnoticed. “Who would have thought that this kind of money could be invested in a golf tournament in India? A leading Indian golfer bemoans a lack of parking space. Another prominent player is practicing his putts without drawing a second glance. The buzz though is unmistakable. Such is the star power that the late withdrawal of Norway’s former FedEx Cup winner Viktor Hovland and two-time Major winner Bubba Watson appears a footnote. The course appears in pristine condition despite showers having made the greens a touch softer. The club has worked with the green superintendent of the DLF Golf and Country Club and a DP World Tour agronomist for about a year. “Length is not the premium here. It is about how square your club face can come and how straight you can hit. Keep the ball in play and you’ll have a decent chance. “I know Indians haven’t been winning on foreign tours, but most of our boys are in form and the course should be to their liking. I am happy that a player of Bhullar’s calibre will be here. “Without a doubt, this is going to be a huge event. Ronaldo is coming to India for this tournament.
An event like this will potentially put India on the global golfing map,” Johl said. I’ll back our Indian players to make an impression,” Johl said. Do well here and the sport can flip on its head,” Johl said. Sachin Tendulkar will be here too along with a number of other stars, particularly on the last days,” Johl said.
Having whetted the appetite of Indian fans last year, it’s time for a veritable buffet. He’ll be here on Friday.
