By Rahul Banerji
Anirban Lahiri’s runner-up performance at the Players Championship in Florida came in for praise from Gary Player at the Delhi Golf Club on Tuesday.
Unveiling the DGC Open trophy, the nine-time Major winner said, “What an ambassador he (Lahiri) is.
“The whole world saw a young man from India finishing second and beating the world’s best players.
“If we can get a young champion from India, and if the instruction is correct, and he has the desire and the makeup, you can do it. And that would be a fantastic thing.”
The South African golf legend later unveiled the glittering trophy for the $500,000 DGC Open presented by Mastercard.
The inaugural edition of the Asian Tour event will be played at the Delhi Golf Club from March 24 to 27.
High praise
Speaking on the occasion, Player lauded the preparations put in by the DGC for the event that will see a top-class field of 132 professionals do battle for the $90,000 top prize.
The DGC went through an extensive renovation two years ago undertaken by Gary Player Design, and Player himself was delighted at the transformation.
“I would give this course a nine out of 10,” said the man who masterminded the redesign and evolution of the Lodhi Course of the DGC.
“It has turned out way, way better than I had anticipated.
“There are still a few areas I would like to change. In hindsight, you always feel there are things that could have been done better, but overall I am very happy at the way the redevelopment has gone.
“I must also compliment the committee and members of the club for the way they have maintained and utilised the course.
“This is a historic venue and one always feels hesitant about tweaking a classic course too much, but in this case, it has worked out very well.”
Great honour
Added DGC president Manjit Singh, “We are pleased and honoured to be not only hosting the inaugural edition of the DGC Open but to also welcome a great golfer like Mr Player to our club.
“His company has done an outstanding job of renovating and improving on our Lodhi Course which has hosted so many important moments in Indian golfing history.”
Representing the players were multiple Asian Tour winner Shiv Kapur, who is now brand ambassador of Mastercard, and Viraj Madappa, who won the first professional event on the redesigned DGC layout last year.
Flawless job
“I always try to pick out things that can be improved on at any course, but after seeing the new layout, I must say I cannot find any flaws,” Kapur commented.
Former pro and now Asian Tour official Unho Park, who made his Major debut with Kapur back in 2006, added, “The Asian Tour has always loved to coming to India and is very pleased to be back after such a long gap. I wish all the players the very best.”
The field has players from 21 countries with 19 players who have won on the Asian Tour, and several others who have achieved success on the Indian Tour.
As many as eight players have won Asian Tour titles at the DGC, but all on the older layout.
This is the first Asian Tour event at the historic venue since 2018 and the first professional event played on the renovated course since October last year.
Also read: Full range of Indian golf talent will be on show at DGC Open
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