MONTY MAKES TRACKS FOR AVANTHA MASTERS IN INDIA
New
Delhi: Colin Montgomerie, the most prolific British winner
in European Tour history, will make his first appearance in the Avantha
Masters when the €1.8million event takes place from March 14-17.
The
Scot, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup glory in 2010, has won 31
European Tour titles – two of them in Asia – in an illustrious career,
and will now hope to add to his impressive tally when the fourth edition
of the Avantha Masters is held at a new venue, Jaypee Greens Golf
Course, Greater Noida, India.
Montgomerie’s
title ambitions at the Avantha Masters, which is tri-sanctioned by the
Asian Tour, European Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India
(PGTI), will be put to test by a stellar field that includes Three-time
Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand,
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, a three-time Asian Tour winner and Australia’s
Scott Hend.
The
local charge will be spearheaded by Jeev Milkha Singh, Asia’s number
one in 2006 and 2008 as well as Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar who
have a combined total of six Asian Tour victories.
Montgomerie
said: “India is unquestionably one of the world’s biggest growth areas
for golf, so I’m really looking forward to teeing up in the Avantha
Masters. Having recently added a project in Goa to my golf course design
portfolio, I hope to play my part in the development of the game in
India.
“Whenever
I have visited this fascinating country, I have always
found the people to be both very friendly and enthusiastic about golf.
Hopefully the crowds will come along to support the tournament, and show
that golf in India is enjoying a real popularity boom.”
Montgomerie is the latest in a long line of European Tour champions to confirm their attendance in the Avantha Masters.
The
eight-time winner of Europe’s Money List will be joined in New Delhi by
England’s Simon Dyson, Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen and Frenchman Thomas
Levet, who between them have captured a total of 15 European Tour
titles.
Padamjit
Singh Sandhu, Director of the PGTI, said: “The presence of a legend
like Colin Montgomerie is an affirmation that Indian golf is going in
the right direction. The Avantha Masters has established itself as a
premium event on The European Tour International Schedule, and the new
dates have enabled leading players to add the tournament to their
schedules.
“I
am sure more big names will confirm in the next few days. We are
looking forward to one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a
tournament in India, and that should provide for a great week of golf.”
Labels: PRO GOLF
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