Golf legend Gary Player is excited about Anirban Lahiri's magnificent second place finish at the The Players Championship in Florida two weeks ago.
“I wonder whether the Indian population realised that when Lahiri finished second at The Players Championship - the fifth most important tournament in golf - the publicity he got for India is quite remarkeable. What Lahiri did was quite magnificent; I can't wait to see him,” said the nine-time Major winner at a media interaction ahead of the inaugural DGC Open at the Delhi Golf Club.
“If Lahiri can finish second in The Players Championship, then he could definitely win a major. And what a happy day it would be for me to see a person from India win a major; and it's coming. Because, there is a good standard of play, good golf courses and good climate. It can happen.”
The South African reiterated that the focus must be on developing junior golf. “We must do everything possible to develop junior golf in India to produce future champions. Just like what Sachin Tendulkar did – got enormous publicity for India,” said the 86-year-old, who has a golf course designing company.
Player renovated the Delhi Golf Club course, which, in the 1970s, was designed by his friend and five-time Open winner, the late Peter Thomson. “That the golf course has turned out in such perfect condition gives me great pleasure. India is one of my favourite countries to visit. It's been just terrific to fly over here. To see what's being done for golf is just fantastic.”
“I would give this course a nine out of 10,” Player said about the fabled Lodhi Course at the DGC.
When the re-development was initiated, many had misgivings about altering its design. One of them was Shiv Kapur, who, today, gave a thumbs-up to the altered course. “The DGC is like my home, or the second home as we call the course. I am always trying to pick things that can be improved at any course, but after seeing the new layout, I must say I cannot find any.” And then looking at Player, he laughed and added, “When I do, I will surely point out.”
The inaugural edition of the DGC Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). The trophy of the $500,000 tournament is a replica of the iconic clubhouse of the DGC. It will be played from March 24-27 with the traditional Pro-AM on March 23.
The field includes 132 professionals plus six amateurs. The field has players from 21 countries with 19 players who have won on the Asian Tour, and many more who have achieved success on the Indian Tour. This is the first Asian Tour event at the DGC since 2018. The first professional event was held at the renovated DGC in October 2021.