GOLF | Hero Indian Open starts on March 27 in Delhi

Keita Nakajima in action in the Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf and County Club on March 30, 2024 in New Delhi, India.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

The champions of the last two years — Keita Nakajima of Japan and Marcel Siem of Germany — will be in action, among a number of stars, in the $2.25 million Hero Indian Open golf championship to be played at the DLF Golf and Country Club here from March 27 to 30.

The 24-year-old Nakajima won the last edition, an effort that catapulted him to global fame. Siem ended a 10-year hunt for titles by winning the event in 2023.

Jacques Kruyswijk, Johannes Veerman, Julien Guerrier, Angel Hidalgo, Frederic Lacroix, David Ravetto, Ewen Ferguson and Guido Migliozzi will be some other prominent players in action.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Veer Ahlawat, the runner-up of the last edition, who went on to top the Indian Order of Merit and is competing on the DP World Tour.

Apart from Veer, Shubhankar Sharma, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, will shoulder the Indian challenge along with Manu Gandas.

The teen prodigy Kartik Singh will have another chance to rub shoulders with the best in the business, as he keeps getting better, having finished top-10 in his last three international amateur events in South Africa and Australia.

“This event is a testament to our leadership in promoting Indian golf on the global stage. We are proud to extend our two-decade long partnership with India’s national open,” said Sanjay Bhan, the vice president of Hero MotoCorp, addressing the media on Thursday.

“Hero MotoCorp remains dedicated to enhancing its legacy of supporting and advancing sports in India and globally. Our vision is to inspire the next generation and create opportunities for youth across the world,” he added.

“The DLF Golf and Country Club is delighted to be venue for the sixth edition in a row. The course is in immaculate playing condition and the golfers will definitely enjoy the challenge,” said Tusch Daroga, the vice president of the club.