THE EUROPEAN Tour has moved on from Dubai to India this week – and , even though he would like to have been heading to America instead, Dutchman Joost Luiten has made the trip too.
Two weeks ago the 26-year-old was 64th in the world and in position to qualify for a world championship debut at next week’s Accenture Match Play in Arizona.
But finishes of 42nd in Abu Dhabi and then 33rd at last week’s Desert Classic have dropped Luiten, winner of the Johor Open in Malaysia last November, to 69th and put him only fourth reserve for Dove Mountain.
He is part of a line-up at the Avantha Masters in New Delhi that includes former Open champions John Daly and Todd Hamilton, Ireland’s Paul McGinley and German Marcel Siem, who shared the lead with Lee Westwood for a while in Dubai on Sunday before dropping back to fourth.
The defending champion is local hero SSP Chowrasia, who also won the title in 2008.
“I’ve been practising hard,” he said. “I’ve done a bit of work on my swing over the off-season and it’s paying off. I’m feeling very confident about my game.
“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.”
McGinley resumes tournament play this week in India and the Dubliner and Gareth Maybin are the only two Irish players in the field.
AVANTHA MASTERS
Course: The DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, India.
Prize-money: €1.8 million (€300,000 to the winner).
Length: 7,156 yards. Par: 72. Field: 132.
The layout: The fairways are tight and water comes into play on a number of holes but light rough takes some of the pressure off. The greens are slow and undulating. This course has floodlights so running late won't be a problem. Would be a first for the European Tour.
Defending champion: SSP Chowrasia won in his homeland beating Robert Coles by one shot.
Type of player suited to challenge: Accurate off the tee with ability to find best spot on green crucial. Good course management.
Weather forecast: Cold, frosty start daily.
On TV: Sky Sports 1 from 8am.
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