14 March 2019: The 2019 edition of the Hero Indian Open – Golf’s flagship tournament in the country and the longest running international sports event in India – will see some of the most well-known golfers from around the world vie for top honours.
Top Indian golfer and the current Asian Tour No.1 Shubhankar Sharma, the 2015 Champion Anirban Lahiri, and the reigning Scottish Open champion Brandon Stone will be seen in action in the 55th edition of the Hero Indian Open.
The other notable players who have confirmed their participation in the most lucrative golf tournament in India carrying a prize purse of US$1.75 million, include Andrew Johnston – the Runner-Up of the Hero Indian Open 2018, and Bernd Wiesberger, with four European Tour, wins to his credit.
To be played on the Gary Player layout at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram from March 28-31, the 2019 edition will be the 14th consecutive year that Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer and one of the biggest corporate promoters of sports around the world, is supporting the tournament.
At the Hero Indian Open 2018, Andrew Johnston came within a whisker of winning the tournament, rallying from a two-shot deficit in the final round to get into a playoff, before losing to Englishman Matt Wallace. This year, Johnston will be aiming to lift the coveted winner’s trophy, besides treating himself to his favourite Indian dishes.
Golf fans in the country will also get to see Brandon Stone, who won the 2018 Scottish Open with a stunning final round of 10-under 60.
Also in the fray will be Bernd Wiesberger – the most successful Austrian player on the European Tour – who beat European Tour No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff at the 2017 Shenzen International. Wiesberger has also been a member of the past two winning European teams at the EurAsia Cup.
With less than a couple of weeks to go before the tournament, the entries are still coming in. Other Indian players such as SSP Chawrasia, the resurgent duo of Shiv Kapur and Rahil Gangjee, and youngsters Ajeetesh Sandhu, Viraj Madappa, Khalin Joshi and S Chikkarangappa are also expected to be seen in action.
Narain, Advisor (Sports), Hero MotoCorp, said, “It is truly heartening to see such a strong Indian contingent and a world-class field at the Hero Indian Open 2019. This will certainly attract more youngsters and budding golfers to come and watch the tournament, which in turn will contribute immensely towards the long-term growth of the game. At Hero MotoCorp, we have been the Title Sponsor of the Hero Indian Open for close to a decade and a half and we remain firmly committed to the promotion of golf in India and around the world.”
Lt. Gen. D. Anbu, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, President, The Indian Golf Union, said, “The Indian Golf Union is extremely pleased to announce the 2019 edition of the Indian Open. This is the flagship property of the Union and the most important event in showcasing IGU’s strategy in growing the game’s footprint in India. Hero MotoCorp has been a steadfast supporter of the Indian Open and we are proud of this partnership, as we are with the European Tour, which has sanctioned the event. The event’s rich history and its eminent, past winners will encourage its continued growth and we look forward to the keen competition and a worthy winner.”
Ben Cowen, Deputy Chief Operating Officer – International, European Tour said, “We are extremely excited for the fifth edition of the Hero Indian Open as part of the European Tour International Schedule and we are looking forward to returning to the wonderful surroundings of DLF Golf and Country Club. Every golf tournament is indebted to its sponsors and that is particularly the case with Hero MotoCorp and their inspirational Chairman, MD and CEO Mr Pawan Munjal. Mr Munjal’s relationship with the European Tour, not just at this tournament, but through the innovative Hero Challenge and many other projects, is second to none, and we thank him for his vision and commitment to our sport. We must also acknowledge the owners of this historical event, the Indian Golf Union, for their hard work in continuing to grow golf in this great country.”
