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 Event Preview

The Indian Open, India's oldest running international sporting competition, will be played at Delhi Golf Club this season. This will mark the 20th time in the 42-year history of the Indian Open that the event has been staged at Delhi Golf Club.

The prestigious tournament will tee-off from October 27 to 30, and once again provide one of the highlights of the season on the Asian Tour offering a total purse of US$300,000.

India's national Open has been staged at Delhi Golf Club for the past three years and many times before and returns to the famous venue this season boasting a new promoter, the World Sport Group (WSG).

"It is with eager enthusiasm that we await this year's Indian Open, an event that is held in such high regard both at home and abroad. The Indian Golf Union are very proud of our national Open and we look forward to once again welcoming the leading players from the region," said Prakash Bhandari, President, Indian Golf Union (IGU).

"We are of course delighted to be returning to Delhi Golf Club where we have so many great memories of the Indian Open. We have always been extremely appreciative of the support of Delhi Golf Club, which is a fitting venue for this fine championship," added Bhandari.

The inaugural Indian Open was held at Delhi Golf Club in 1964, when Australian golfing legend Peter Thomson claimed the title.

"Delhi Golf Club is deeply honored to be the venue for this year's Indian Open. We have a rich history of association with the event dating back to the first Indian Open in 1964 and we feel privileged to be hosting the tournament for the 20th time this year," said Manjit Singh, Captain, Delhi Golf Club.

"Over the past three years we have witnessed some great winners here at Delhi Golf Club. India's Vijay Kumar triumphed in 2002 and was followed by American veteran Mike Cunning and Singaporean Mardan Mamat and I am sure we will be treated to another great event in October," added Singh.

The Indian Open will form the 23rd leg of this year's Asian Tour, which features 28 events on its schedule boasting over US$20 million in prize money.

Louis Martin, the Asian Tour's Chief Executive, is also excited at the prospect of returning to India this year. Said Martin: "Events like the Indian Open have formed the backbone of professional tournament golf in the region for many years, and have a special place on the Asian Tour. Steeped in tradition, our membership always look forward to competing in the Indian Open."

The Asian Tour witnessed its first winner from Singapore at the Indian Open in 2004. Mardan Mamat claimed a commanding five-stroke victory in last year's Indian Open after firing rounds of 68, 67, 70 and 65 to finish on 18-under-par at Delhi Golf Club. It was an emotional victory for the Singapore number one who had come close to victory so many times before in a nine year period on Tour.

In an exciting development World Sport Group (WSG) have become promoters of the Indian Open. WSG already boast the Singapore Open, Visa Dynasty Cup and Volvo Masters of Asia in its portfolio of golf tournaments and are delighted to now be involved with golf in India.

"The Indian Open is one of the jewels in the crown of the Asian Tour and with golf on the subcontinent continuing to boom, World Sport Group are extremely excited to be promoters of this outstanding tournament," said Chris Jordan, Vice President, Golf, World Sport Group.

WSG, whose head office is in Singapore, have signed an agreement with the Asian Tour to be the promoter of the Indian Open for the next six years.

"WSG will be responsible for the sponsorship, event management, television and media affairs of the tournament and are very confident of making the Indian Open a great success," added Jordan.

August 2, 2005