The Asian Swing comes to a close this week as the Hero Indian Open returns to the DP World Tour after a four-year absence. Here are your five things to know.
The Hero Indian Open is back
After four years away due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India's national open returns for its sixth edition as a DP World Tour event. First played in 1964, the event has been won by the likes of Peter Thomson, Payne Stewart and Thongchai Jaidee and, since joining the Tour schedule, Anirban Lahiri, S.S.P. Chawrasia - twice - Matt Wallace and Stephen Gallacher have lifted the trophy. The imposing DLF Golf and Country Club plays host with a record prize fund of US$2 million available along with 2,750 points on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
Gallacher makes long-awaited defence
In 2019, Gallacher birdied three of his last four holes to produce a stunning comeback and win his first Tour title in five years. The Scot had shared the first round lead but a second-round 74 saw him slip back and his chances looked doomed when he made a quadruple-bogey eight on the seventh hole on Sunday. But he recovered with six birdies to sign for a closing 71 and finish at nine under, a shot clear of Japan's Masahiro Kawamura. On Mother's Day back in his native Scotland, it was a father and son show in New Delhi, with son Jack caddying for Gallacher and the duo are back in action this week.
Inside the field
Scot Robert MacIntyre and Denmark's Nicolai Højgaard will make their Hero Indian Open debuts this week. MacIntyre, a two-time DP World Tour winner is excited to visit India for the first time in his young career, and said: “As soon as I heard the Hero Indian Open was back on the schedule it was one I immediately earmarked to play. I have watched previous events on television and the course looks absolutely stunning. I think it could be one that suits my game." Højgaard, who won 3.5 points as Continental Europe won the Hero Cup last month, added: “I’ve never been to India before so I’m really looking forward to experiencing something new. Dr Munjal and Hero always look after us incredibly well in any event they’re involved with so I am looking forward to another great tournament." Fellow Hero Cup star Guido Migliozzi and last week's winner Thorbjørn Olesen are also among the star names this week.
Local stars looking to shine
Shubhankar Sharma will spearhead a strong home challenge as he looks to continue his recent good form. The two-time DP World Tour winner has two top tens in his last five starts and a best finish of seventh at this event in 2018. Hero Brand Ambassador Shiv Kapur and two-time Hero Indian Open winner SSP Chawrasia also tee it up alongside Manu Gandas, who earned his card on the DP World Tour due to of the latest alliance between the PGTI, DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. Gandas had an outstanding season in 2022, winning six domestic Tour events and topping the PGTI Order of Merit to earn his playing privileges.
Hero hat-trick in 2023
Hero continues its support of the DP World Tour in 2023 this week as it backs the Indian Open. Hero MotoCorp, one of the world's leading manufacturers of motorcycles and scooters, has already given its support to the Hero Cup and Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a Rolex Series event, and Chairman and CEO Dr Pawan Munjal is happy to be backing the company's home event. "Hero MotoCorp has been associated with this marquee tournament for close to two decades and we have seen the tournament grow in stature during this duration," he said. "The tournament has made a significant contribution to growing the sport and providing a platform for Indian golfers to showcase their talent. We are also happy to see our association with the DP World Tour grow across the globe in addition to bringing innovation and new opportunities to the game." The Hero Dubai Desert Classic was the most eco-friendly edition of the event ever held and sustainability efforts are also being carried out this week, including the promotion of refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
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