By Rahul Banerji
He’s been the hottest prospect on the domestic circuit for the past few months with three straight wins, and Udayan Mane is keen to put up a worthwhile show at the 2020 Hero Indian Open.
This year’s edition of the national Open will be played at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon from March 19 to 22 – for the fourth time – and Mane hopes to improve on his record at the country’s premier golf tournament.
“I’ve played the Open five times in the past with a best of 52nd place I think (in 2018) and there’s no better event to really make a mark than this one.
“I’ve made a lot of small changes in my game that are coming together and giving good results, so I’m hopeful of a good show at my sixth Hero Indian Open,” Mane added.
Hot run
The towering golfer has been on something of a tear these past few months and every round at each of this three wins – the year-ending Tata Steel Tour Championship in Jamshedpur, the Golconda Masters in Hyderabad and the Players Championship in Bangalore – was in the 60s, a rare enough feat.
Incidentally, Mane and Rashi Khan are currently the front-runners for India’s two berths at the Tokyo Olympic Games later this year.
Alongside Mane at Thursday’s Hero Indian Open launch were Shiv Kapur and Shubhankar Sharma, both also keen to end their respective droughts at the event.
“They say if you knock at the doors long enough, they will eventually open,” said Kapur with a grin. “I’ve been knocking on this one pretty often so hopefully, it’ll open for me this time.”
Long association
The 56th edition of the Hero Indian Open will also be the 15th consecutive year that Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer and one of the biggest corporate promoters of sports around the world, is supporting the tournament.
Inaugurated in 1964, the $1.75 million Open is expected to host several top names of Indian golf including past winners Jyoti Randhawa (2000, 2006, 2007), Anirban Lahiri (2015) and Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia (2017, 2017) amongst others.
The tournament is promoted by the Indian Golf Union and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
The Gary Player Course at DLF Golf and Country Club will host the Open for a fourth year in succession and will prove as always to be a test for the field of 144.
Defending champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland will be back and the Hero Indian Open this year is also expected to see 2018 Ryder Cup-winning captain Thomas Bjorn of Denmark line up along with six-time European Tour winner Joost Luiten and England’s Andy Sullivan.
Young guns
The young brigade from overseas includes former world number one amateur Justin Suh of the US, fellow-American Akshay Bhatia, Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and Matthew Jordan of England besides Indian tyros like Aadil Bedi, Kshitij Naved Kaul and others.
“Hero MotoCorp remains committed to the long-term promotion of golf in the country and around the world, said Bharatendu Kabi, head of corporate communication, Hero MotoCorp.
“We have been title sponsor of the Hero Indian Open for 15 consecutive years now and it has always provided a platform to Indian golfers to compete against a strong international field and showcase their talent.
“With the presence of a strong Indian contingent, and participation of talented international players, we are sure the Hero Indian Open 2020 will see top-class competitive golf.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and chief executive of the Asian Tour, added,“The Hero Indian Open has always been regarded as one of the Asian Tour’s Majors.
“This historic event has long boasted a stellar field and I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Hero MotoCorp and the Indian Golf Union for their support in continuously raising its stature over the years.”
Also read: Hero Indian Open has desi flavours in more ways than one
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