The 2016 Hero Indian Open will boast one of the strongest fields in its illustrious history with the confirmation of three more players inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
With the addition of Australian Marcus Fraser (World Number 63), Dutchman Joost Luiten (World Number 77) and South African George Coetzee (World Number 78) to the field, the total number of players in the top 100 will be as many as six in the Hero Indian Open, which will carry its biggest prize purse of US $1.66 million.
Anirban Lahiri (50th), Tommy Fleetwood (81st) and Marc Warren (87th) are the other players in the top 100 of the World Ranking. In addition, three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland is also confirmed for the event.
A whole host of past winners will also be in action, with Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Mardan Mamat of Singapore and India’s own Arjun Atwal joining Lahiri in the line-up.
The strength of the field and presence of so many top 100 players will also mean more World Ranking points, which are essential for players to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio, where golf will make its return after a 112-year absence. The exact number of points will be determined once the entry list closes next week.
The home challenge will be led by Lahiri and will also include Jeev Milkha Singh, Atwal, SSP Chawrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rashid Khan, Rahil Gangjee, Himmat Rai and Chiragh Kumar, among others.
