Asian Tour Set to Return to India in 2025 with International Series Event

Asian Tour Set to Return to India in 2025 with International Series Event

The Asian Tour is poised to make a grand return to India in 2025, bringing one of its prestigious International Series (IS) events to the country. This exciting development was hinted at during the International Series England at Foxhills Golf Club, where Asian Tour officials expressed their enthusiasm for a return to the Indian market.

Rahul Singh, Head of International Series, confirmed that advanced talks are underway with a golf course and a sponsor. He emphasized that the Tour is committed to bringing an IS tournament to India next year, but stressed the importance of securing all necessary contracts before making an official announcement.

India remains a crucial market for the Asian Tour, with a significant number of Indian professionals holding Tour memberships. However, the formation of an association between the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and the DP World Tour has reduced the number of Asian Tour events in India.

Despite these challenges, the Asian Tour is determined to return to India in a sustainable and commercially viable manner. Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner of the Asian Tour, stated that the Tour is not interested in funding tournaments on its own. Instead, it seeks partnerships with local sponsors and venues to ensure the long-term success of IS events in India.

The proposed LIV Golf schedule for 2025 will also play a role in the Asian Tour’s plans. The Tour has strategically scheduled IS events close to LIV tournaments and in nearby countries to attract top players from the Saudi Arabia-backed league.

Singh acknowledged the importance of LIV Golf to the Asian Tour’s strategy. He emphasized that the partnership provides playing opportunities for LIV members and contributes to the growth of the IS.

The remaining six IS events will form an exciting conclusion to the Asian Tour season, culminating in the $5 million PIF Saudi International. This tournament will crown both the International Series Ranking winner and the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

International Series: A Gateway for Asian Golfers to Global Stardom

International Series: A Gateway for Asian Golfers to Global Stardom

Anirban Lahiri, a seasoned golfer with seven Asian Tour victories, believes the International Series presents a golden opportunity for Asian players to elevate their game and establish themselves on the global stage. Lahiri, the lone Asian player contracted to LIV Golf, expressed regret for not having access to such a platform during his early professional years.

The International Series England, with its $2 million prize pool, features 14 Indian players. Lahiri emphasized the significance of this event for Asian players, particularly the younger ones, who can test their skills against a formidable field and adapt to unfamiliar conditions.

“The weather in the UK changes rapidly, affecting ball distance and trajectory,” Lahiri explained. “Players need to learn how to adjust quickly and expand their repertoire. These events provide a fertile ground for growth.”

Lahiri recalled a transformative round in 2013 at the Thai Golf Championship, where he played alongside Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson. “It was a masterclass,” he said. “I witnessed their exceptional ball-striking and realized the need to enhance my own skills.”

“The International Series offers Asian players the chance to compete with top LIV Golf players and experience diverse conditions,” Lahiri added. “The initial years outside Asia will be challenging, but they must embrace the learning opportunities.”

Lahiri highlighted the importance of understanding limitations and challenging them. “Golf requires different shots in varying conditions,” he said. “Players need to identify their weaknesses and develop new skills to become more versatile.”

“Hideki Matsuyama is a prime example,” Lahiri noted. “He left his comfort zone, faced hardships, and emerged as a global superstar. Asian players must embrace these opportunities to achieve similar success.”

Anirban Lahiri Bounces Back from Heartbreak, Ready for LIV Golf UK Challenge

Anirban Lahiri Bounces Back from Heartbreak, Ready for LIV Golf UK Challenge

Anirban Lahiri, the Indian golf ace, has bounced back from a heartbreaking loss at the Andalucia Masters, where he missed a crucial two-foot putt that cost him the title. Despite the setback, Lahiri remains optimistic and is eager to prove himself at this week’s LIV Golf UK challenge.

Lahiri’s resilience was evident when he was spotted practicing diligently at the JCB Golf & Country Club, even before the tournament began. When Claude Harmon III, the renowned golf coach, approached him, Lahiri joked, “Don’t worry. Just practicing my two-footers!”

The 37-year-old has learned a valuable lesson from his experience at Valderrama. He realized that in golf, as in life, nothing is over until it’s over. “I thought it was over. It obviously wasn’t,” said Lahiri, referring to the missed putt that led to a playoff loss against Sergio Garcia.

Lahiri admitted that he had become complacent and rushed his shot. “I hit it dead center of the cup, which wasn’t the line. I didn’t spend enough time, and I didn’t go through my processes,” he said.

Despite the financial loss and the disappointment of not ending his nine-year winless streak, Lahiri remains determined. “There are a lot of things to be proud of,” he said. “I put myself in a position to win again.”

Lahiri spent the last week in Spain with his family, which helped him refresh and refocus. He is eager to test himself again at the LIV Golf UK event. “It’s just this intense eagerness that I want to test myself again,” he said.

Lahiri will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey in the tournament, which begins on Friday. He is confident that he can overcome the challenges and emerge victorious.

LIV Golf Adelaide 2023: Record-Breaking Attendance and Team Triumph

LIV Golf Adelaide 2023: Record-Breaking Attendance and Team Triumph

LIV Golf Adelaide 2023: A Resounding Success, Setting New Benchmarks

Last year’s LIV Golf Adelaide event set a high standard for the new league, attracting over 77,000 fans. However, this year’s edition surpassed all expectations, raising the bar even higher.

More than 94,000 spectators witnessed the action at The Grange, with early broadcast figures indicating close to a million viewers in Australia alone. These numbers do not include users of the LIV Golf + app, which has become a popular platform for following the league.

The local government’s support for the tournament was evident, with nearly 40% of attendees traveling from out of state. While these numbers may pale in comparison to some PGA Tour events and major championships, they are a testament to the league’s growing popularity.

Despite criticism of sparsely attended events like Jeddah, LIV Golf’s presence in Saudi Arabia is seen as a responsibility to grow the game in the region. The tournament’s relocation to populous cities like Riyadh is expected to further boost attendance.

One of the key highlights of LIV Golf Adelaide was the enthusiastic embrace of the team aspect. The all-Australian Ripper GC emerged victorious, defeating the all-South African Stingers GC in the first-ever team playoff.

The team format has gained significant traction this year, with Crushers GC, led by Bryson DeChambeau and featuring Anirban Lahiri, becoming a fan favorite. Their comeback wins in Jeddah and Hong Kong have captivated audiences.

Critics who argue that team competition is difficult to understand are dismissed by LIV Golf officials. The format is simple: the best three scores count on the first two days, while all four scores count in the final round.

LIV Golf has also made a concerted effort to cater to fans, offering affordable ticket prices, providing ample information, and supplementing golf with entertainment. Their fast-paced TV broadcast has also received positive feedback.

As LIV Golf moves to Singapore this week, expectations are high. While attendance may not reach the same levels as Adelaide, a crowd of around 30,000 over three days would be considered a success.

Bryson DeChambeau Unleashes Fury on Augusta National, Grabs Masters Lead

Bryson DeChambeau Unleashes Fury on Augusta National, Grabs Masters Lead

Bryson DeChambeau’s relentless assault on Augusta National Golf Club continued in the opening round of the 88th Masters Tournament. The enigmatic golfer unleashed a near-perfect performance, carding a seven-under 65 to seize the solo lead.

DeChambeau’s dominance was evident from the outset, as he unleashed a barrage of 12 drives exceeding 300 yards. His Krank driver and Avoda irons, unique to his arsenal, proved to be formidable weapons. Despite swirling winds, he hit 15 out of 18 greens in regulation.

The world No. 210, who has been rapidly descending in the rankings since joining LIV Golf, displayed his recent resurgence. After a challenging period last year, he has notched two victories on the breakaway tour. His sizzling form has carried over to the Masters, where he opened with three consecutive birdies and closed with five more in his final seven holes.

DeChambeau’s performance was not solely attributed to brute force. He showcased deft long-range putts and remarkable recovery shots. His sliced second shot from the pine straws on the par-5 15th, which nearly resulted in an eagle, drew gasps from the patrons.

Known as “the Scientist” for his scientific approach to golf, DeChambeau has recently become obsessed with robotics. His pursuit of a repeatable swing, the cornerstone of a great golf swing, was evident throughout his round.

However, DeChambeau acknowledged the challenges posed by the ever-changing conditions. “Trying to be a robot is always something I’ve tried to do, but it’s not feasible in this game,” he said. “This wind out here just makes it diabolical.”

Despite his polarizing nature, DeChambeau remains a passionate advocate for the game. He has recently embraced content creation on YouTube, aiming to inspire and grow the sport.

LIV Golf Standoff Threatens Olympic Hopes for Top Golfers

LIV Golf Standoff Threatens Olympic Hopes for Top Golfers

India’s top golfer Anirban Lahiri has expressed concern that the ongoing standoff between LIV Golf and the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) could prevent many top-ranked players from qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lahiri, who currently plays in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, is facing an uphill battle to earn enough ranking points to secure one of the 60 spots available for the Games. The OWGR does not recognize LIV Golf events, making it extremely difficult for players like Lahiri to accumulate the necessary points.

“There’s no point in speculating on what ifs. The reality of the situation is what it is. And within that framework, you have to find a way to qualify,” said Lahiri.

Lahiri believes that the current situation could serve as a wake-up call for the golf world to address the issue. “It might be a situation where a lot of really good golfers are going to be in the top 10, who could be playing for their countries, don’t make it to Paris,” he said. “And maybe that’s what’s needed for the world to wake up and say we need to do something.”

Despite the challenges, Lahiri remains determined to qualify for the Olympics. He will be competing in the Hero India Open this week, hoping to earn valuable ranking points. “Unless I play well this week and potentially one or two more events, there is not much to look forward to unfortunately,” he said.

Lahiri, who has participated in two previous Olympics, is currently the third-ranked Indian golfer behind Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar. He is eager to make a strong showing in Paris, but acknowledges that the current ranking system presents a significant obstacle.

“I had two goes at it (Olympics), I have a whole list of excuses for not playing well (laughs) but then let bygones be bygones,” he said. “It’s like a major championship, right? You want to have as many starts at majors as possible to contend and to win. So it’s the same thing. The Olympics are fewer and much further in between.”

Lahiri’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between LIV Golf and the established golf ecosystem. The OWGR’s refusal to recognize LIV Golf events has created a divide in the sport, with some players choosing to join the lucrative Saudi-backed league while others remain loyal to the traditional tours.

LIV Golf Withdraws World Ranking Application

LIV Golf Withdraws World Ranking Application

The Great White Shark, LIV Golf, has withdrawn its application for recognition by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). CEO Greg Norman informed players of the decision, citing the OWGR’s unwillingness to work with LIV.

LIV’s initial application in July 2022 was rejected due to its unique format and lack of a path for players to qualify. The OWGR board maintained that it could not fairly compare LIV to other tours with more open tournaments.

The withdrawal has significant implications for LIV players, as the world ranking is used to determine eligibility for the majors and the Olympics. Top players like Cameron Smith and Tyrrell Hatton may struggle to qualify for these prestigious events.

Despite LIV’s efforts to create a more open qualifying system, the players are currently far removed from the top of the rankings. Only four LIV players are in the top 50, and even if adjustments were made, it would be challenging for them to make up ground.

The withdrawal also highlights the ongoing tension between LIV and the established golf ecosystem. The OWGR board, which includes representatives from the majors, has maintained that its decision was technical, not political. However, LIV has accused the board of bias and a lack of transparency.

Meanwhile, Gary Woodland has been honored with the Ben Hogan Award for his return to golf following brain surgery. The former U.S. Open champion underwent a serious operation to remove a lesion pressing on his brain.

In other news, Angela Stanford has received an exemption to the Chevron Championship, extending her consecutive LPGA major streak to 98. The USGA has also acquired memorabilia related to Charlie Sifford, the first Black player to win on the PGA Tour.

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