Shanghai: It will be an unprecedented high
for Indian professional golf with four from the country teeing
up in the prestigious USD seven million WGC-HSBC Champions
here tomorrow.
Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Gaganjeet Bhullar and
C Muniyappa would be part of the star-studded field headlined
by none other than Tiger Woods at the Shanghai's Sheshan
International Golf Club here.
"This is a very proud moment for Indian professional
golf," Professional Golf Tour of India Director Padamjit
Sandhu said.
"The consolidated efforts of our tour and event partners
are helping take Indian professional golf to the next level
and we are confident the momentum will continue," Sandhu said.
Jeev has been paired with Gonzalo Fernandes-Castano and
Prayad Marksaeng, while Randhawa has Peter Hanson and Richard
Sterne for company in the first two rounds.
Bhullar was drawn with Wu Ashun and Jean Hugo, while
Muniyappa would have Garth Mulroy and Jeppe Huldahl alongside
him.
All eyes, however, will be on Woods, who has been paired
with Thongchai Jaidee and Ross Fisher.
Of the four Indians in fray, Jeev will spearhead the
challenge in the event that features players like Woods, Phil
Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Geoff
Ogilvy and Yang Yong-eun.
Jeev booked his ticket to the showpiece event courtesy
his victory in the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup last December.
Randhawa, on the other hand, made it to Asia's first WGC event
as a result of his triumph at the Asian Tour's Singha Thailand
Open earlier this year.
Bhullar made the cut with his win at the Indonesia
President Invitational (Asian Tour) in July 2009 while
Muniyappa's landmark victory at the Indian Open last month
opened the door for him.
Bureau Report