Shiv Kapur to lead field in Crompton Greaves Golf Open

Mumbai, May 1 (UNI) Shiv Kapur will lead a star-studded field in Crompton Greaves Open, the richest event in the domestic circuit with Rs 70-Lakh prize purse, to be played at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club from May 3-6.

''I am looking forward to playing the Crompton Greaves Open as it is not only the richest tournament but is also one of the most prestigious events on our circuit,'' said Shiv.

An international field will compete for the richest purse on the domestic circuit.

Australians Richard Backwell and Chris Haines, Japanese professionals Kentaro Ishihara, Shinji Fukushima and Kunal Bhasin alongwith Shahid Javed Khan and Matloob Ahmed from Pakistan will lead the foreign contingent.

''The competition will be tough at the Crompton Greaves Open and the tournament promises a lot of excitement. Some of the leading professional golfers of Asia are from India and I am impressed with the depth of the field on the domestic circuit,'' said Richard Backwell.

The current PGTI Order of Merit leader Ashok Kumar, who has already earned Rs 27,18,000 will be another player to watch at the Crompton Greaves Open. However, he will face opposition from Digvijay Singh, Harmeet Kahlon, C Muniyappa, Arjun Singh, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Prakash, Amardip Sinh Malik, Mukesh Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Naman Dawar, A S Lehal, Uttam Singh Mundy, Amritinder Singh, Gurbaaz Mann, Chiragh Kumar and Himmat S Rai who are just some of the golfers comprising the field of 120 professionals to compete for the biggest winner's purse this year - Rs.11,34,000.

''We will witness some world-class golf at the Crompton Greaves Open as our leading professionals vie for the title,'' said Ashok.

''Furthermore, this tournament is being held at the prestigious Bombay Presidency Golf Club which is a tough layout, one where strategy plays an important role,'' he added.

The tournament kicks-off with the Pro-Am competition on May 2, which will be a highly contested 18-hole competition attended by leading executives and corporate golfers of the region. It will herald the 72-hole stroke play event that will be played from the May 3-6. About 120 professionals will play the first two rounds and the cut will be applied after 36 holes. Only the top 50 scores and ties will form the prestigious line-up over the weekend hence displaying some of the best competitive golf in the country.

''The Crompton Greaves Open is one of the biggest tournaments on the 2006-07 PGTI Tour and the country's leading professional golfers have been looking forward to participe in this tournament. I have no doubts that the golf on display will be exceptional,'' said Ajai Gupta, Tour Commissioner, PGTI.

UNI