Indians eye fourth consecutive title at Wills Indian Open

A strong contingent of Indian golfers is set to challenge over 80 professionals from 17 countries, as they vie for the fourth consecutive title at the US $ 300,000 Wills Indian Open 2001 from March 15-18.

The 38th edition of the Wills Indian Open, the most lucrative golf event in India and the highest prize money Asian PGA tournament in the country, will witness a strong challenge from the Indians led by defending champion Jyoti Randhawa, winner of four APGA tour titles and second on the Asian Order of Merit for 2000, alongwith Calcutta lad, Arjun Atwal, who won the 1999 edition of the Wills Indian Open as well as the Hero Honda Masters and Star Alliance Open in 2000.

The duo will be supported Feroz Ali, who lifted the trophy in 1998, and has witnessed an eventful year on the current Wills Sport PGAI Golf Tour, as well as Ali Sher, who holds the distinction of having won the Wills Indian Open title twice, in 1991 and 1993.

With over 90 golfers from 17 nationalities in the fray, the Indian contingent faces a stiff challenge at the 2001 edition of the Wills Indian Open. Japan will field the largest number of professionals (18), followed by Korea (12), United States (11) South Africa (8), Australia (6), Thailand (5) The Philippines and Taiwan (4 each), Myanmar and Pakistan (3 each). The international contingent will also be accompanied by golfers from Sweden, Venezuela, New Zealand and Ecuador, pitched against the 51-strong Indian contingent, looking to extend its winning streak to seven straight APGA Tour victories on home soil.

"The Wills Indian Open 2001 field has considerable depth," said Rishi Narain, Director of Golf IMG and Event Director Wills Indian Open. "Thirty-two of the top 60 golfers from the 2000 APGA Davidoff Order of Merit will compete head to head at the Classic Golf Resort. A total field of over 81 international is indicative of the prestige and importance that the players attach to the Wills Indian Open." he added.

Prakash Bhandari, member IGU Council said, "The Wills Indian Open directly impacts the development of golf in our country. We are grateful to ITC, IMG and all our co-sponsors, who through the Wills Indian Open, are not only bringing this world class tournament to India, but also making a significant contribution towards the administration of the game in our country."

Meanwhile, the venue, Classic Golf Resort, are also delighted to host yet another national open championship. "Wills Indian Open 2001 being held at the Jack Nicklaus designed Classic Golf Resort, will once again bring top international golfers to India, providing the country's golf fraternity the opportunity to leading international pros playing on Indian soil," says captain of CGR.

Leading Thai golfers will also be participating in this event, led by Thongchai Jaidee and Chawalat Plaphol. Meanwhile, current Davidoff Order of Merit leader, Los Angeles based Charlie Wi, will lead the 12 member Korean contingent.