Panasonic Open India set to celebrate third edition in April

New Delhi: The Panasonic Open India will return to the Delhi Golf Club from April 4-7, 2013 with its third edition promising to showcase the depth in strength of Indian golf while further promoting the subcontinent as a leading tourist and golfing destination.
 
As one of four events in India to feature prominently on the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule, the Panasonic Open India, sanctioned with the PGTI, will once again attract big galleries to the venerable Delhi Golf Club to witness four days of world-class golf action.
 
In the inaugural season, Anirban Lahiri broke through with a stylish victory for his maiden Asian Tour title while countryman Digvijay Singh ensured the trophy remained in India after another captivating performance where he sealed his first triumph as well on the region’s elite circuit.
 
Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Consumer Product Division, Panasonic India said, “The country has grown keen towards the game of golf in recent years. We see a lucrative opportunity through such associations to connect better with the youth and masses. It was a huge success last year and we are very much looking forward to the third edition of the Panasonic Open India in April. This event has played a big role in establishing the careers of two of India’s finest golfers, Anirban Lahiri and Digvijay Singh, and we look forward to celebrating another great and worthy champion at the Delhi Golf Club. We will continue our attempt to make valuable additions to the tournament every year to make it more exciting for our stakeholders as well as the audience.”
 
The tricky Delhi Golf Club, known for its tree-lined fairways and challenging layout, has been a happy hunting ground for local stars and it will be intriguing to see if the international players will be able to wrest the Panasonic Open India trophy away from local hands.
 
The full-field Asian Tour event will offer a total prize fund of US$300,000.  The top three players of the Panasonic Open India will be extended invitations to the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open which will be held in Osaka, Japan this September.
 
Delhi Golf Club President I V S Juneja said: “The Delhi Golf Club with its rich history of having hosted the first Indian Open in 1964 and the Asian Games in 1982 deems it an honour to host the third Panasonic Open India 2013. We are proud to host the Panasonic Open where leading professional golfers from different parts of the world will participate in the prestigious Panasonic Open India 2013 giving us the opportunity to see them all in action.”
 
The worldwide appeal of the Asian Tour stars and the rich heritage associated with India will be showcased live throughout four days of the Panasonic Open India. Asian Tour Media will beam the event to over 200 countries and 650 million homes across the Live, Highlights, Magazine programmes and via the additional exposure generated by Golfing World.
 
Asian Tour Executive Chairman, Kyi Hla Han said: “On behalf of our players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Panasonic for its generous sponsorship. India is one of our biggest partners and the Panasonic Open India certainly reflects the strength of our association with golf in India.”
 
“The Asian Tour works closely with the PGTI to develop the game and create playing opportunities for our members and I am certain we will welcome a worthy winner in April,” said Han.
 
PGTI Director, Padamjit Sandhu said: “The Panasonic Open India has become a major tournament on the Indian golfing calendar and the PGTI is delighted and thankful for the support from Panasonic. Indian stars have won the event over the past two seasons and I am looking forward to seeing the PGTI players competing well against the stars from the Asian Tour.”