Avantha Masters preview

The European Tour heads to India this week for the third running of the Avantha Masters at DLF Golf & Country Club. Defending champion S.S.P Chowrasia is looking for a hat-trick of European Tour victories in his home country.

SSP Chowrasia defends Avantha Masters (Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Lowdown: The European Tour heads to India this week for the third running of the Avantha Masters at DLF Golf & Country Club. Defending champion S.S.P Chowrasia is looking for a hat-trick of European Tour victories in his home country. Chowrasia claimed his maiden European Tour title in the Indian Masters of 2008, played at the Delhi Golf Club. He then picked up a second title in his homeland when he narrowly beat England's Robert Coles to win the 2010 Avantha Masters. Chowrasia is confident of another good showing this time out. "I've been practising hard and I'm feeling really good," he said. "Last year was amazing to win in front of the home fans and great for Indian golf and Indian players. I was so happy. Golf in India is growing - cricket is number one but golf is the next fastest growing sport - and I hope my victory inspires more people to play... To win again and make it three times in Delhi would be unbelievable." With many of the European Tour's best absent from this event as they complete preparations for next week's Accenture Matchplay, this tournament provides a chance for one of the circuit's lesser lights to shine. Indeed it offers an opportunity for players from either the Asian Tour or an upcoming star from India to hit the big time. Designed by Arnold Palmer Course Design, the layout at DLF G&CC was opened for play in 1999. It's an undulating and tree-lined course with water a factor on seven of the 18 holes. The course is constructed in an area of environmental interest and the course is home to a wide variety of different birds including Golden Eagles. Venue: DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India Date: Feb 16-19 Course stats: par 72, 7,156 yards Purse: €1,800,000 Winner: €300,000 Defending Champion: S.S.P. Chowrasia (-15)

TV Coverage: Thursday 16 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 8am Friday 17 - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 8am Saturday 18 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 6.30am Sunday 19 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 6.30am

Player Watch: Joost Luiten - The talented young Dutchman enjoyed a solid if unspectacular run in the Middle East. But he has a good record when the European Tour heads to Asia - his victory in last November's Iskandar Johor Open is evidence of that.

Richard Sterne - The South African is playing on a medical extension having missed almost all of 2011 through injury. He is showing signs of returning to form. He started promisingly last week in Dubai and only faded slightly over the weekend.

Scott Jamieson - The Scot was 12th in Qatar then fifth last week in Dubai. If he can maintain that form this week he should contend again.

Key hole: 18th. A par 5 of 537 yards, this is a classic risk and reward finishing hole. Water short of the green means a decision must be made as to whether to go for it in two shots. The hole has the potential to witness eagles and double bogeys so there could be swings at the top of the leaderboard right at the death. Skills required: Putting. The course features some severely sloping greens and a deft touch on the putting surfaces will be essential to success here.

Where next? PGA Tour - Northern Trust Open Preview

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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