SSP Chawrasia celebrates his winning putt at the Hero Indian Open 2016
Just before the summer sets in , Indian pros have a golden three weeks this month offering a total of US$ 2.85 million (Rs 23.7 crores) in prize money and a chance to earn European and Challenge Tour playing rights.
Here’s the schedule for March:
Date Tournament Prize Money Venue
Mar 14-17 Delhi Challenge US$ 300,000 Classic Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon
Mar 21-24 Kolkata Challenge US$ 300,000 Royal Calcutta Golf Club
Mar 28-31 Hero Indian Open US$ 2.25 mn DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon
RELATED: New European Challenge Tour pro event – boon for Chouhan
These three weeks which mirror last year’s March schedule – features two Challenge Tour events and the flagship event of Indian golf – the Hero Indian Open staged on the European ( DP World) Tour. Last year, experienced Indian PGTI member OP Chouhan from Mhow secured a victory in the first Challenge Tour event played at KGA in Bangalore. This triumph secured him the top ranking on the PGTI, which he held onto till the end of 2023 – finally earning him European Tour playing rights for the 2024 season.
A similar narrative could await the Indian pro who wins one of these three weeks.
SSP Chawrasia, back in 2017, remains the last Indian to clinch the coveted Hero Indian Open title which was not held in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Even if an Indian does not win, a top 10 finish, could earn the Indian players their biggest cheque of the year. And with no Asian Tour event scheduled in India for 2024, for the first time in 50 years, its one of the rare opportunities for Indians to win on a major international tour.
While the Delhi Challenge in Gurgaon this week features 51 Indians, the Hero Indian Open entry list currently lists only 23 Indian players, with more expected to be added soon. Last year, 32 Indians managed an entry alongside 100 entries from European Tour members.
Photo – Asian Tour