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WGAI launch historic DLF Women's Indian Open

In a historic move, the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI - Pro Golf) announced the launch of the biggest and richest ever event in the history of Indian women's golf, at a press conference in the Capital on Monday.

The USD 100,000 'DLF Women's Indian Open', will be played over the par 72 Arnold Palmer designed DLF Golf & Country Club from March 14-16 2007 as the fourth-leg on the prestigious Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT).

The DLF Women's Indian Open will witness an 85 strong field lock horns for the winner's cheque of USD 15,000. The runner-up will benefit to the tune of USD 10,000, while the third placed professional will get to take home a sum of USD 7,500.

Among the leading participants will be American Libby Smith, currently ranked second on the LAGT Order of Merit. Japan will have the maximum number of participants totaling to 15. Thailand (13), Korea (10) and Chinese Taipei (8) will provide the other major challengers.

The six strong Indian(professional challenge will be led by Smriti Mehra who has won all three events she has played on the DLF Women's Professional Golf Tour this season. Smriti is of course better known for becoming the first and only Indian to make it to the prestigious LPGA Tour. Also in the fray will be the dangerous Irina Brar who recently proved her prowess on an international stage with a tied-18 th place finish at the Hong Kong Open in January 2007. Irina currently leads the Order of Merit table on the domestic DLF Women's Professional Golf Tour. Irina and Smriti tally Rs.1,32,529 and Rs 1,13,200 respectively on the Tour's Order of Merit.

In addition, there will be as many as ten Indian amateurs competing in the field including known names like Meghna Bal, South African star amateur Yushira Budhram, Shruti Khanna and Tanya Wadhwa who first hit the headlines by winning the 2002 Callaway World Junior Golf Championship.

Also present will be reigning English Ladies Amateur Champion and the youngest European on the Ladies European Tour, Kiran Matharu. Matharu finished third in the Qualifying School this year. Looking forward to her first professional tournament in Asia at the DLF Women's Indian Open. Matharu said, "I am very excited about playing in the DLF Women's Indian Open. I came to India for the first time in December to visit my family and friends and have been waiting for this tournament as it will be a very special week for me".

Matharu won the 'Sony Entertainment Television Asia 2006, Female Junior Sports Personality Award' for the second successive year.

Among the other Indians participating will be the likes of Parnita Garewal and Shalini Malik. Both girls, turned professional in year 2006 and while Parnita has two second and as many third place finishes in six appearances on the DLF Women's Professional Golf Tour, Shalini has three runner-up finishes to her credit.

"This is indeed a historic moment for Indian Women's Golf," said Mr. Satish Tandon, President of WGAI (Pro Golf). "We have been working ardently for the empowerment of the Indian sportswoman and an event of the stature of the 'DLF Women's Indian Open' presents her with an ideal platform to launch into full view of the global golfing audience and at the same time realize her immense potential," he added. "I would like to thank DLF and all the other sponsors for their support without which this dream could never come true," he concluded.

"On behalf of DLF, I would like to state that it gives us great pleasure to host an event of the stature of the 'DLF Women's Indian Open'," said Ms. Kavita Singh, of DLF. "As a golfing woman myself, I know the enormous potential the Indian woman golfer harbours which till date has been dormant chiefly due to lack of opportunity to exhibit itself. With the advent of a structured professional Tour for women and now through the 'DLF Women's Indian Open', the entire golfing scenario for Indian women will undergo a sea change." she concluded.

"I am extremely excited about the 'DLF Women's Indian Open'," said Smriti Mehra. "After nearly nine years on the LPGA Tour, I know what it takes to succeed on an international stage. Had I had the opportunity of honing my skills in a mega event like the 'DLF Women's Indian Open' I would have performed far better in the United States ," she said. "Today that very opportunity is offered to the Indian woman golfer on a platter. The ball is in her court and she has to make the best of it," she added.

The DLF Golf and Country Club is all spruced up for the event. The course has in the past tested the skills of some of the biggest names in world golf including the former No. 1 golfer in the world, Vijay Singh. The very challenging lay-out promises to test the women on two counts, accuracy and distance. Both are required in equal measure for success on this magnificent golfing facility. The course is peppered with strategically placed bunkers and water-bodies which threaten to swallow any errant or miscued golf ball. Overall, there is a lot of excitement in store at the 'DLF Women's Indian Open' as the crème of Asia 's golfing talent tries to get the better of a world class golf course.

February 26, 2007