$1 million India Open 2008 would see Daniel Chopra vs three time Indian Open winner Jyoti Randhawa

NEW DELHI: The $1 million India Open 2008 golf tournament starting next month was officially tee-off at Delhi Golf Club on Thursday. A galaxy of top Indian and international golfers are scheduled to compete in the 45th edition of the Hero Honda India Open, which is to be played from October 9-12. 

US PGA Tour star Daniel Chopra, who is making his first appearance in his National Open since 2001, will be seen competing the twice defending champion and three time Indian Open winner Jyoti Randhawa and second ranked golfer on the current Order of Merit Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia. 

Thirty-four-year-old Chopra, son of an Indian father and Swedish mother, had claimed the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii on the US PGA tour at the start of this year for his second victory on that tour. Last year he had claimed the Ginn sur Mer Classic at Tesoro. 

This year the prize money has been doubled from $500,000 to $1,000,000, said MD & CEO of the Hero Honda Motors, Pawan Munjal in a press conference. 

"Daniel Chopra’s participation in this year’s edition is reflective of the growing stature of this tournament in the international arena. In the coming years, the prize purse will only go up further, ensuring the passage of this tournament into the elite league. Undoubtedly, these are exciting times for golf fans in India, and Hero Honda is happy to have played a catalyst role in the evolution of the game in the country," Mr Munjal said. 

International players like New Zealand’s Mark Brown and the current number one player on the Asian Tour, Liang Wen-Chong from China can also be seen in action there. 

Brown, has won twice this year in India – inaugural SAIL Open at Jaypee Greens and Johnnie Walker Classic at DLF Golf Course – will certainly relish returning here to make it three. While Liang, who had claimed the Singapore Master last year and became first Chinese player to win the Asian Tour’s Order of merit, will also be eying Indian Open to open his account in India. 

"Everything is taking shape for another memorable Indian Open. The prize money increase is a wonderful boost for golf in India and I think we are all excited about the seeing Daniel Chopra come back and play here again," said TT Jagannathan, president, Indian Golf Union. 

Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said, "Our talented players are looking forward to the Indian Open, especially with so much to play for this year following the prize money increase to $1 million." 

"A lot of hard work has been put into the Indian Open to ensure we deliver a world class golf tournament. The Tournament improves every year and we would like to thank Hero Honda, the Indian Golf Union and Delhi Golf Club for all their efforts," said Chris Jordan, senior vice president – golf, world sport group.