File photo of reigning US Open champion and LIV Golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau who is the top draw for the upcoming International Series India presented by DLF. Image courtesy International Series.
By Rahul Banerji
Eleven Indians led by Anirban Lahiri figure in the final list of entries for the $2 million International Series India presented by DLF later this month.
In a field that includes as many as 15 LIV Golf stars and multiple Asian Tour winners, Gaganjeet Bhullar and nine others will join Lahiri in presenting the home challenge at the DLF Golf and Country Club from January 30 to February 2.
It will make for one of the most elite fields ever to participate in a golf tournament on the Indian sub-continent, an International Series statement said.
Besides Lahiri and 11-time Asian winner Bhullar, two other former Tour Order of Merit winners, Shubhankar Sharma (2018) and Indian golf legend Jeev Milkha Singh (2006 and 2008), are in the field as is rising young star Kartik Singh (15).
Other Asian Tour winners entered are Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia (6), Rashid Khan (2), Rahil Gangjee (2) and Ajeetesh Sandhu (1). Also confirmed are Yuvraj Sandhu and Karandeep Kochhar while Shiv Kapur, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, is the first reserve.
Interestingly, Lahiri (T5 at the 2015 PGA Championship), Sharma (T8 at the 2023 Open) and Jeev (T9 at the 2008 PGA) are the only Indians to have finished in the top-10 at a major.
Top draw
Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who had top-six finishes in three of the four majors in 2024 including the win at Pinehurst last June, heads a stellar international lineup that includes six of the top 20 from last year’s LIV Golf League.
DeChambeau (eighth in the 2024 LIV Golf standings) will be joined by Crushers GC team-mates Paul Casey (11) and Anirban Lahiri (16) while Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz of Torque GC (13) will line up alongside his skipper Joaquin Niemann (2), and compatriot Abraham Ancer (12) of Fireballs GC.
Other confirmations include Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz, which means the full Torque lineup will be in action on the iconic Gary Player-designed course in Gurgaon while the popular Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC brings his mercurial talent to the event as well.
International Series 2023 rankings topper Andy Ogletree, a three-time winner, is also in the field along with RangeGoats GC’s Peter Uihlein, a two-time champion on The International Series last season and runner-up in the rankings race behind Niemann.
John Catlin, 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, who impressed as an alternate on the LIV Golf League last season after securing back-to-back victories at the International Series Macau and Saudi Open last year, is also confirmed alongside fellow Americans Caleb Surratt of Legion XIII and Cameron Tringale of HyFlyers GC.
Good blend
Said Rahul Singh, head of The International Series, “The strong field, with its blend of superstar names, proven champions and emerging talent, perfectly showcases what The International Series is all about.
“This is a truly unique opportunity for golf fans from the subcontinent to enjoy some incredible golf.”
A promising addition is Kartik, third at the 2024 Junior Players Championship. The highest ranked Indian amateur, he also played the 2025 Junior Presidents Cup and was a member of the strong Asia-Pacific team which beat Europe to win the Bonallack Trophy in the UAE earlier this month.
New LIV Golf signings Luis Masaveu of Fireballs GC and Spain and Denmark’s Frederik Kjettrup of Cleeks GC are competing, with the India event providing a perfect tune-up for their debuts in the opening fixture of the season, at LIV Golf Riyadh the following week.
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, the Yeangder TPC and Taiwan Glass Taifong Open champion, is the third two-time 2024 winner in the field alongside Uihlein and Catlin.
Two further champions on The International Series last season, BNI Indonesian Masters winner Richard T. Lee and M.J. Maguire, who beat Catlin in a play-off at the Black Mountain Championship, are also confirmed for the Gurgaon showpiece.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (SJM Macao Open), England’s Steve Lewton (Mandiri Indonesia Open), Jbe Kruger from South Africa (Mercuries Taiwan Masters) and Koreans Hongtaek Kim (GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship) and Minkyu Kim (Kolon Korea Open) also bring winning credentials to the tournament.
Entry process
Entry to the tournament is by registration only. Register for free at https://in.bookmyshow.com/sports/international-series-india-presented-by-dlf/ET00428719.
Also read: Ancer, Catlin confirm entries for International Series India
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