Tour card up for grabs as Indian Open begins at par-71 DGC course

NEW DELHI: "Narrow," "precise," "control," "patience" these are the words generally associated with the Delhi Golf Club course and the strategy will be no different when the $1.5million Hero Indian Open, now a co-sanctioned European and Asian Tours event, tees off in the morning.
"No driver," is the repeated strain among the Asian Tour and Indian golfers. Anirban Lahiri, the highest-ranked golfer in the event at 39, had once ignored this open secret but once he bowed down, the 27-year-old found himself winning three Asian Tour titles here.Fresh from winning his first European Tour title in Malaysia, the Bangalore pro is ready to chase more success. "This is the event you want to win as an Indian because it is so rich in history," said Lahiri, who finished tiedsecond in the last edition.
The Indian Open title has also proved elusive for Jeev Milkha Singh. "I have won many National Opens except my own.Maybe the golfing gods are against me," he said.
You will often hear references to the almighty and fate on the course, as nature toys with the temperament and belief of the players. This time you will also hear about the statistics on hole no. 14.
Par-71 is the whisper here as the 516-yard 14th has been converted to a par-4 from a par-5 in this event. Jeev thinks this will reduce the winning total. "I would say it will go 8-12 under because if the wind picks up, it could easily become a bogey hole." The 7th too could prove a problem for a few. "The back tee has added 40 yards to the longest par-3," Jeev enlightened the listeners.
Certainly , it still provides a platform for the Indian and Asian Tour golfers, whose familiarity of the course will prove to be a major advantage. "Chowrasia won a European Tour event (2008 Indian Masters) here and it opened new doors for him so why not for the rest?" said Jeev.
Local hero Rashid Khan enjoyed a breakthrough 2014 season, winning twice including the SAIL-SBI Open here. "I always had one bad round so I want to avoid that this year, make fewer errors," said a cautious Rashid, eager to shake off the pressure that comes with home territory .
Euro regular Shiv Kapur will also be returning home."For so many Indians, it represents an opportunity to further their careers by winning a place on the European Tour," he said.
The stellar cast also includes Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Daniel Chopra and usual suspects like defending champ Siddikur, Prom Meesawat, Thaworn Wiratchant, Wade Ormsby . And, of course, ignore 'Mr Consistent' Miguel Angel Jimenez at your own peril.
"It's not a bomber's golf course so it would suit Miguel down to a tee," reminded Shiv.
FAST FACTS
Prize Money: US$1.5 million (winner's purse: US$250,000)
Top Contenders: Siddikur Rahman (Ban) ­ defending champion, Anirban Lahiri (Ind), Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Esp), Rashid Khan (Ind), SSP Chowrasia (Ind), Shiv Kapur (Ind), Wade Ormsby (Aus).
Indians with big wins at DGC: Jyoti Randhawa, Anirban Lahiri, SSP Chowrasia, Rashid Khan, Digvijay Singh, Arjun Atwal.