Anirban Lahiri expects defending champion SSP Chawrasia to have a good week at the Hero Indian Open as the pair prepare to go toe-to-toe on home soil once again.
Lahiri secured his second European Tour title when he beat compatriot Chawrasia in a play-off at this event at Delhi Golf Club in 2015 before finishing in a share of second place as Chawrasia lifted the trophy last year.
The tournament has since moved to the challenging Gary Player Course at DLF Golf and Country Club, but Lahiri expects Chawrasia to mount a strong defence of his title.
He said: "I expect nothing but the competitor that SSP is.
"Obviously the Indian Open brings out the best in him. He is really gritty, he's like a bulldog.
This is not a golf course where just chipping or putting or any one part of your game is going to get you through. You need to have all of your departments in good shape - Anirban Lahiri
"He gets in there and he doesn't let go. And that's a really good quality to have - especially on this golf course.
"When the going gets tough you need to just keep it in play out there. That's his strength.
"I think he'll have a good week, I hope he'll have a good week, but there are a whole bunch of players here who have a great chance.
"At the end of the day you need to strike the ball well. This is not a golf course where just chipping or putting or any one part of your game is going to get you through. You need to have all of your departments in good shape."
DLF Golf and Country Club hosted the 2009 edition of this event on the Arnold Palmer Course, but this week's tournament is the first staging of a men’s international event at the Gary Player Course.
When asked about the course, Lahiri added: "It's going to be a challenge for sure.
"I mean, it's not something that you come across very often.
"I would say there are two factors that would be interesting to see. One is how they set up the golf course. If you really wanted to be really aggressive you could make the golf course really, really hard.
"If it gets windy it's going to be extremely hard. I think they are going to set it up for scoring, which is a good thing.
"I think it's a blank sheet for everyone. Nobody really knows what to expect."
Australian Scott Hend knows the course will be a challenge but insists he does not fear the greens after competing in last week's WGC – Mexico Championship.
I think it's going to be tough for the local guys too as I'm not sure how many times they've played this golf course - Scott Hend
He said: "It's very challenging. It's a very good course.
"I think first and foremost, you need to know where you're going to hit your tee shots. I think the greens are quite simple after what I played last week.
"You just have to hit it in the right sectors, it's good.
“I think it's going to be tough for the local guys too as I'm not sure how many times they've played this golf course.
"They've not played here 100 times or 150 times - they're learning like we are.
"Obviously, Anirban is a class player and SSP, who plays in Europe, can play great golf.”
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat returns to the Hero Indian Open for the first time since 2011 this week and is delighted to be back in the field.
Aphibarnrat, who knows what it is like to win in India after claiming his first Asian Tour title at the SAIL Open in 2011, said: "My first win on Tour was in this country and I always look forward to coming back here to see my friends and golf fans."
