Clarke leads Irish challenge in India

Golf – Avantha Masters: India's Jeev Milkha Singh hopes the birth of his first child will bring him further good fortune as …

Golf – Avantha Masters:India's Jeev Milkha Singh hopes the birth of his first child will bring him further good fortune as he bids to win this week's Avantha Masters in New Delhi, India.

"I'm going to try to win this week but I'm actually more excited about the baby," the twice Asian Tour number one said of his newborn son.

"I spent more time in the hospital than at the golf course," India's best-known golfer said today.

As the European Tour moves away from a three-week stint in the gulf, this week’s field includes Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Pablo Larrazabal of Spain and Danny Lee of New Zealand for the first tournament of a joint venture between the European Tour and Asian Tour, to be known as EurAsia Golf.

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The Professional Golf Tour of India is the other partner in the event which starts at the Arnold Palmer-designed DLF Golf and Country Club tomorrow and carries €1.5 million in prize money with €250,000 going to the winner.

"I'm feeling good about my form. It's always nice to win at home and I'll go out there and do my best," said Singh, a six-time Asian Tour winner.

Singh heads the betting at 9/1 (PaddyPower) with Clarke installed as second favourite at 14/1 with the same bookmaker. Clarke is joined in New Delhi by Gareth Maybin and Shane Lowry, who are priced at 25/1 and 33/1 respectively, while Gary Murphy can be backed at 125/1.

-Reuters