Even as the Hero Honda Indian Open, the longest running golf event in India, continues to attract a great deal of attention with its increased purse to make it a half a million dollars (US $500,000) for the first time in its 44-year history, the Delhi Golf Club is also making news by itself.
The verdant setting at the Delhi Golf Club is, for the first time, stretching beyond the 7,000-yard mark. A series of changes on three of the crucial holes, including two par-4s has taken it to 7014 yards. The course, renowned for its tricky layout and vicious rough and bushes will throw a bigger challenge to contenders at the Hero Honda Indian Open this year, as the distance has been increased by 126 yards.
The tee at the tenth hole, right opposite the clubhouse and next to the practice green has been pushed back and the yardage has swelled from the old 428 yards to a tough 474-yard par-four. The par four on the third also sees an increase from 411 to 443 yards, but the most challenging change has come on the par-3 seventh hole. From a modest 182 yards, it has been turned into a monstrous 230-yard par-3 three, where a par would be a satisfying effort for most golfers.
The natural layout of the course has been utilised to add to the challenge.
Another change is where the fairways have been extended in areas where the slopes roll towards the rough. This will mean greater punishment for errant shots.
According to Ranji Chaudhari, the DGC captain, "The idea is to avoid having a repetition of last year, when three players, including winner Jyoti Randhawa, posted a record low score at this club. We wish to make the course challenging and ensure more enjoyable golf," he said.
The Hero Honda Indian Open will this year see two of India's finest golfers ever, with Jeev Milkha Singh returning home for an event for the first time in four years, alongside the defending champion Jyoti Randhawa. As usual, the prestigious event, being played from October 11 to 14 will be broadcast live on Star Sports.
While Randhawa has twice won the Indian Open, Jeev is looking for his success at the National Open.
"I am very keen to get that title. It is something I will cherish," he said. The field will also include two other past champions from India Firoze Ali, who won the title in 1998 and veteran Ali Sher, who won it twice in 1991 and 1993. Also gracing the field will be two other past champions, Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, the winner in 2005, and the 2004 champion Mardan Mamat from Singapore.
Interestingly, the field has both the current UBS Asian Tour Order of merit leader, China's Liang Wen-chong, and last year's winner, Jeev Milkha Singh. Thaworn was the winner of the Order of Merit in 2005 and Randhawa took the title in 2002.
The changes at the DGC:
Hole 3: Par 4
Current yardage: 411; new yardage: 443
Hole 7: Par 3
Current yardage: 182; new yardage: 230
Hole 10: Par 4
Current yardage: 428; new yardage: 474
