Indians out in force in Hong Kong

Report by Anand Datla

October 14, 2014: India’s golf stars are preparing for a frontal assault on the Hong Kong Open 2014 this week. Anirban Lahiri, Rashid Khan and Shiv Kapur lead a contingent of ten aspirants to the Hong Kong Golf Club this Thursday when the oldest sporting event in the Chinese island kicks off this week. The event is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, with a bevy of golfing lights converging to play the $1.3mn event from 16th October. Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jiminez, a four time winner of the event are leading the glossy cast this week.

Unfortunately though, the event continues to struggle for a title sponsor, with the Hong Kong Golf Club stepping in for a second straight year to provide much of the prize money on offer this coming Sunday. But the purse is far from enough to attract the leading lights of Europe, many of whom shall be away in London for the World Match Play Championship.

Back to the Indian interest – besides Lahiri, Khan and Kapur – SSP Chowrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Rahil Gangjee, Chiragh Kumar, Himmat Rai, Sujjan Singh and Jeev Milkha Singh shall also be seen in action at the sprawling course that stands in grand contradiction to an otherwise cramped existence in the former British principality.

Much is at stake this week for Lahiri, whose battle for honour on the Asian Tour Order of Merit has entered an interesting phase with David Lipsky taking a comfortable lead on the list. The American is also in action this week, leading the merit list with an earnings of US$ 665,725 ahead of Lahiri’s purse of US$ 342, 689.

Gangjee is the second highest placed Indian, with an earnings of US$ 129, 514 so far from the current season. He is presently placed 12th on the list. Chowrasia, Khan and Randhawa are also inside the top 20 on the list.

Nicolas Colsaerts, the man who made 60 last week in Portugal, is among those seeking to prevent a hattrick of victories for Jiminez, who is looking to capture a fifth title and a third straight trophy at the prestigious event.

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