Five contenders for the Indian Open

This may be the first time the Hero Indian Open has featured on The European Tour International Schedule but it is not the first time Lahiri has been here. In fact, the World Number 39 has three wins and a runner up finish at Delhi Golf Club in the last four years on the Asian Tour. In that time, he has played 32 rounds at the prestigious course and is a combined 77 under par. Having picked up a maiden European Tour win two weeks ago in Malaysia, Lahiri will be keen to continue his recent form to remain on track for becoming the highest ranked Indian golfer in history in the near future (Jeev Milkha Singh was ranked 29th in 2009).

Shiv Kapur

Kapur is sure to be a favourite with the fans this week but we think he is also one of the favourites to win. Delhi Golf Club was the 33 year old’s home club growing up and he is even a representative of the title sponsor, Hero, this week. He has finished fourth in both his previous appearances at this venue at the 2013 SAIL-SBI Open and the 2013 Panasonic Open, and failed to shoot over par in any of the eight rounds. He returns home in good form this week having opened and closed with bogey-free rounds last week in Thailand that saw Kapur finish in a tie for 11th place.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez

The most interesting man in golf narrowly missed out on his 22nd European Tour title last week in Thailand, having led by one going into the weekend. However, the 51 year old continues to play some of the finest golf of his career having carded three top seven finishes in his last six European Tour starts and since turning 50 last year, the Spaniard has fired 29 rounds in the 60s. When Kapur was asked about the course he calls home, the Indian replied: “It would suit someone like Miguel Angel Jiménez down to a tee.”

Wade Ormsby

Ormsby has been quietly finding his form in recent months. The 32 year old co-led the Australian PGA Championship in December after 54 holes with fellow Aussie Adam Scott before eventually missing out on a home victory by the narrowest of margins as he lost in a play-off to Greg Chalmers. Since then, Ormsby has continued his fine form with an 11th place finish in Malaysia two weeks ago and a seventh place finish last week in Thailand. He will welcome a return to Delhi Golf Club this week, where he took home the 2013 Panasonic Open, his lone title as a professional.

Kevin Phelan

The young Irishman is a dark horse but undoubtedly has the game to compete in India. The former Walker Cup star leads The European Tour in Driving Accuracy this season having found an amazing 84 per cent of the fairways thus far, which bodes well for the short, tight layout of Delhi Golf Club. The last time the 24 year old played in a co-sanctioned Asian Tour event, he finished third – at the 2014 Hong Kong Open.