The Amby Valley PGAI Tour embarks on the Western Swing with the Hero Honda Open West 2005, which begins at the new look par-71 Poona Club Golf Course from Tuesday.

The cream of Indian golf is expected to battle it out for the Rs 162,000 winner's cheque out of the total prize purse of Rs One million.

The top-10 players in the Money List from the current season, including No. 1 Mukesh Kumar (Mhow), No. 2 Ashok Kumar (Delhi), No. 3 Shiv Kapur (Delhi) and No. 4 Vijay Kumar (Lucknow), who is also the defending champion, will tee it up for the prestigious title. The runner-up will be richer by Rs 112,000.

Ashok Kumar, the hottest player on the Amby Valley PGAI Tour this season, with five victories, which incidentally came back-to-back, will be looking to regain his top spot on the Order of Merit, after Mukesh Kumar overtook the 22-year-old with the victory in the Eastern India Open, the last leg of the Eastern Swing of the Amby Valley PGAI Tour. 

Apart from Ashok Kumar, the other winners on the tour include Mukesh, who has won three titles, while rookie Shiv Kapur, who recently earned an Asian Tour card, has two titles to his credit. Rafick Ali and Vijay Kumar both have won once each.

 As many as 38 players have already crossed the Rs 100,000 earnings mark with both Kumars � Mukesh and Ashok having amassed more than Rs One Million in prize-money.  With a minimum of eight events yet to be played with a total purse worth Rs 18 million, the professionals can look forward to end the season with a bulged wallet!

The Poona Club Golf Course has been completely refurbished and wears a new look for the tournament. It now possesses one of the finest driving ranges in the country as well as a huge new putting green.

The greens, which are true and fast, are one of the best in India and will surely test even the most hardened professionals.