By IANS
Jamshedpur : Top Indian golfers, including defending champion S.S.P. Chowrasia, will start the New Year by teeing off at the Beldih and Golmuri courses for the Tata Open tournament starting here Wednesday.
Chowrasia has won the Tata Open on three previous occasions in the last four years except 2004. The defending champion is currently 11th on Professional Golf Tour of India’s (PGTI) Order of Merit for 2007-08 and said: “I just love playing at Beldih and Golmuri as I have had great success at these golf courses in the past.
“The good thing about these two courses is that they do not favour long hitters, in fact both short as well as long hitters can perform well at these venues.”
Chowrasia will face the toughest challenge from the likes of Digvijay Singh, Shamim Khan and Gaganjeet Bhullar. Digvijay is currently second on the Order of Merit and eager to win his first PGTI title. Shamim on the other hand is fourth on the Order of Merit but at the same time the only professional to register top-10s in all three tournaments this season. He was the joint runner-up at PGTI’s last event in Bangalore. Gaganjeet Bhullar was also the joint runner-up in Bangalore and if his career graph is anything to go by, a victory seems to be just around the corner for him.
Naman Dawar is someone who cannot be counted out. The Tata Open 2006 runner-up arrives in Jamshedpur after securing a creditable tied fifth place in Bangalore. Dawar who was the joint leader after round three in Bangalore is looking to build on his last performance.
“I had a dream start at the Tata Open 2006 as I began the tournament with a hole-in-one. I also shot my career best of seven-under 63 at Golmuri,” said Dawar reflecting on his performance at the last edition of the Tata Open.
Two courses throwing up different kinds of challenges to the top Indian professionals is the ideal setting for an interesting week of golf. Only those who can adapt well to the two courses are certain of making an impression.