Prima World CMD Ashwin Chandran (from left to right), defending champion Harshjeet Singh Sethie, Mysuru Open winner Shaurya Binu and Coimbatore Golf Club president R. Gopinath at the launch of the Coimbatore Open 2024. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Edition Two of the KGiSL presents Coimbatore Open tees off on Wednesday at the Coimbatore Golf Club carrying a prize purse of Rs 1 crore.
The event will see a field of 126 golfers in action including 123 professionals and three amateurs.
Leading Indian pros in the field include defending champion Harshjeet Singh Sethie, rankings leader Veer Ahlawat, Asian Tour regular Karandeep Kochhar, Aman Raj, and Mysuru Open winner Shaurya Binu, to name a few.
The local challenge will be led by professional Sidhartha Sharathram and amateur J. Vignessh.
Prominent overseas entrants include Sri Lankans N. Thangaraja and K. Prabagaran, Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain from Bangladesh, and Italy’s Michele Ortolani.
Also in the fray are Czechia’s Stepan Danek, Nepal’s Subash Tamang, Canada’s Sukhraj Singh Gill, South Korea’s Si In Kim, Japan’s Makoto Iwasaki and American Dominic Piccirillo.
“We thank Coimbatore Golf Club, KGiSL and Prima Donna for their continued support in establishing the Coimbatore Open as an important stop on the PGTI,” said tour chief executive Uttam Singh Mundy.
“The Coimbatore Golf Club always produces a fascinating contest as the course and the windy conditions test the skills of the top Indian professionals. We look forward to yet another exciting week of golf.”
Good challenge
Added CGC president R. Gopinath, “A good monsoon and prevailing strong seasonal winds have made course conditions challenging for the PGTI Coimbatore Open this year.
“The course has had a few changes in the layout to enhance its testing nature further. All in all, the Coimbatore Open 2024 promises to be a test of both shot-making and course management skills.”
Prassadh Shanmugam, CEO of KGiSL, said, “As we enter our third year of partnership with PGTI and the Coimbatore Golf Club, it’s truly remarkable to see the Coimbatore Open being recognized as a key event in the itinerary of the nation’s leading golfers.
“I am confident that this tournament will not only inspire emerging talent but also cultivate greater interest in the sport.”
The par-72 CGC, sited under the Nilgiris, is a 6540-yard course and the Palghat Hills, part of the Western Ghats, form a scenic backdrop to the course.
The playing experience is heavily influenced by the seasons. Strong westerly winds between May and September make the course the most challenging and ensure that the golfers have a tough battle on their hands.
Also read: Shaurya Binu wins inaugural Mysuru Open with gallant final round
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