By IANS
Bangalore : India’s women professionals will get a taste of big-time competition for the first time on their home turf, when they tee off at picturesque Eagleton Resort this Friday in the inaugural Euro 200,000 EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters.
Only Simi Mehra has had the taste of top-class women’s pro golf, having played for many years in the US on the Ladies PGA Tour, but the others will all be playing at this level for the first time.
Irina Brar, who has been winning consistently on the Indian Women’s Pro Tour regularly, is looking forward to the event.
After winning the sixth leg of the Indian Tour two days back, Irina said: “I am fully fit and looking forward to this event. Women’s professional golf is finally here to stay in India.”
The Chandigarh girl, who has been India’s No. 1 amateur turned professional in 2006 and her best finish came at the 2006 DLF Indian Women’s Open, where she was tied fourth. Irina has played a few other tournaments on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and also attempted to qualify for the Women’s British Open.
Now free from injuries and back problems, Irina could well be among the first lot of Indian women pros to make a mark outside India.
While Simi and Irina will be the main Indian challengers, the others include Nonita Lall, who spends most of her time coaching.
Also in the fray will be Shalini Malik, second in the WGAI Order of Merit, Sanniya Sharma, Nitika Jadeja, Meghna Bal and Sharmila Nicollet. Megha and Sharmila will play as amateurs.
There will be some more Indian interest in the form of Kiran Matharu, an Indian by origin, who now lives and plays for England.
Meanwhile Bangalore’s Eagleton Golf Course is all “dressed up” to host the biggest women’s tee party ever in India gets under way from December 3.
The players have started arriving for what promises to be an intriguing duel in the sun. Among the first players to land in the city was Gwladys Nocera, the four-time European champion.
She will be joined by veteran Laura Davies, Bettina Hauert, Trish Johnson, Becky Brewerton and Kiran Matharu amongst others in a strong field contesting for honours in the Euro 200,000 event.
“I am really excited to be here. The course is in immaculate conditions and the local hospitality is second to none. I am sure all players will enjoy playing in front of the enthusiastic crowd,” said Nocera.
Though all players will be keen to leave their indelible imprints on the Eagleton Resort, Bettina, in particular, will be aiming for a strong finish to consolidate her lead in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit table.
The German star currently leads the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit with euro 216,998.10 in earnings from 17 tournaments, closely followed by Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson who has raked in euro 214,756.47 from just six events she played this season.
Another Swede Maria Hjorth is placed third on the Money List with euro 192,657.54 in earnings from six tournaments, just ahead of England’s Trish Johnson (euro 189, 467.75).