The Hero Indian Open will boast a strong field for it’s 54thedition, when a galaxy of Indian stars vie for the honours alongside top names from around the world.
Current Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma will head up the local challenge, alongside defending champion SSP Chawrasia and 2015 winner Anirban Lahiri, when the event returns to the Gary Player course at DLF Golf and Country Club, Delhi, from March 8 to 11, 2018.
2018 Ryder Cup Captain and 15-time European Tour winner Thomas Bjørn, who recently led Europe to a 14-10 win over Asia in the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, is amongst the list of global stars, which also includes Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, a PGA Tour winner and member of the 2017 Presidents Cup team.
Former Indian Open champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, English Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and his countryman, the charismatic Andrew “Beef” Johnston, will all be in the field for the event that is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Indian Golf Union.
Sharma is the leading Indian player in the field after a stunning start to the 2018 season, in which he has sealed his first two European Tour titles - at the Joburg Open and Maybank Championship - risen to the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, and broken in to the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
The local challenge also includes Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, Chiragh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Ajeetesh Sandhu.
Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp, said: “We are pleased to extend our association with the Hero Indian Open, which we have been associated with for the past 12 years.
“Our long-term commitment to support golf has been vindicated by the rising popularity of the game in India and the number of young Indian players making their mark on the global golfing circuit.
“Over the years, the Hero Indian Open has grown immensely in stature and attracted some of the best talent from around the world. With one of the strongest-ever field this year, I am sure this edition will be as exciting as the previous ones.”
