Thaworn Wiratchant
A strong field with no fewer than 23 Asian Tour champions will grace the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) at Delhi Golf Club next week.
The Panasonic Open (India) is the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour Schedule where it will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) from April 6 to 9 (Wednesday to Saturday).
Thail veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant will lead the list of contenders, thanks to his impressive resume which includes 12 Asian Tour victories including once on the venerable Delhi course in 2005.
The 44-year-old, the Asian Tour number one in 2005, also holds an impressive winning streak where he has won at least one title in each year since 2007 and he will rely on his course knowledge in his pursuit of countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s record 13 victories on the Asian Tour.
Udorn Duangdecha and Pariya Junhasavasdikul, who both won maiden Asian Tour titles last season, will be expected to challenge for honours as well at the Panasonic Open (India) with their straight-shooting game well suited for the challenge next week.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat will head back to the sub-continent for the second time in three weeks to launch another title challenge. The 43-year-old’s last victory was recorded on home soil in 2006 at the Singapore Masters and he is determined to end a five-year title drought after enjoying his career-best finish of eighth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season.
Another man to watch out for is big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, who will also be hoping to stamp his class after enjoying three top-10s last season on the Asian Tour.
The Australian topped the driving average list at the Asian Tour Awards Gala last season with a driving average of 309 yards and could be in contention at the Delhi Golf Club.
Hend will be joined by fellow Australian champions Darren Beck and Rick Kulacz, who have one and two victories on the Asian Tour respectively.
Leading the home charge will be current Asian Tour number one S.S.P. Chowrasia, rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar and India's history-maker Jyoti Randhawa, who was the first Indian to win the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2002.
Shiv Kapur, the 2005 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, will also be expected to feature prominently on the leaderboard as he will be playing on his home course next week.
The top three players at the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia. The Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
