Lahiri returns to the Hero Indian Open, enhanced purse on offer

By Rahul Banerji

The 57^th Hero Indian Open from March 28 to 31 will offer an enhanced $2.25 million in prize money and see Anirban Lahiri back in the field after a five-year hiatus.

The second leg of the DP World (European) Tour’s Asia Swing, the national open will be played as it has been for the last several years at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon.

In a video message at the launch in New Delhi on Friday, Lahiri, now a LIV Golf member said, “I am really looking forward to the Indian Open this year.

“It has been five years since I had the opportunity to compete in my national open. Winning the title in 2015 remains one of my most cherished memories,” the 2015 Asian Tour topper added.

Lahiri is currently in action at LIV Golf League’s third event of the season at Jeddah as part of Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC team and last played the Hero Indian Open in 2019 before the pandemic halted the event for three years.

Full field

This year, besides the enhanced prize money and being part of the Asia Swing, the Hero Indian Open will have a field of 144 that includes 33 Indians. The winner stands to earn $382,500, with $247,500 going to the runner-up and $140,850 for third place.

Speaking on the event, Hero MotoCorp executive chairman Dr Pawan Munjal said, “For more than two decades, the Hero Indian Open has served as the cornerstone of Indian golf, embodying our nation’s golfing spirit with distinction.

“It brings me immense satisfaction to have played a guiding role in this national endeavour. Throughout its storied history, the tournament has been instrumental in elevating Indian golf and its players onto the global stage, showcasing our country’s talent and potential to the world.

“With the support of the IGU and DP World Tour, I am confident that we will continue to steer this prestigious event towards unprecedented levels of success and recognition.”

Also in the field will be former European Tour rookie of the year Shubhankar Sharma, Shiv Kapur, three-time DP World Tour winner Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and exciting New Zealander Kazumi Kobori.

Added tour chief executive David Pelley, “We are very excited to visit India once again for the 57th edition of the historic Hero Indian Open.

“The tournament made a very welcome return to our schedule last year and our members are looking forward to returning to Delhi at the end of this month.”

Hero MotoCorp has been title sponsor of the open since 2005 and this is the tenth year of its association with the DP World Tour.

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