Gangjee looking to make it count

Indian ace Rahil Gangjee will be the cynosure as the Louis Philippe Cup 2018 tees off at the Prestige Golfshire Club on Tuesday.

The Asian Development Tour is certain to be keenly contested considering the USD 75,000 prize kitty and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points that are up for grabs.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Gangjee will face a stern test as the par-72 course has been pruned to par-70.

"The course is in fine condition and it is going to play very fast. This time of the year, the course is at its challenging best with heavy winds which will only lead to a very interesting competition,” Gangjee said.

"The field consists of the best from India and a few seasoned professionals from Asia and this tournament is no way to be taken lightly. As far as I am concerned there’s only one goal for me and that is to come back home with the trophy,” added the Bengaluru-based golfer.

Some other top golfers from around the region who will be seen competing are three-time Asian Tour winner Marcus Both of Australia, Sri Lanka's popular Mithun Pereira who has won five times on the Indian tour, local star S Chikarangappa who is a two time winner on the ADT and Delhi's Rashid Khan, a two-time winner on Asian Tour and Honey Baisoya.

Also participating in the tournament are Chandigarh based amateur Aadil Bedi & Noida based Hari Mohan. Both of these amateurs are representing India in the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia this year. Both Aadil and Hari are looking forward to some much-needed practice in this tournament ahead of Asian Games.

Harimohan, who is currently ranked fourth in the Indian Golf Union Order of Merit, said, “the Louis Philippe Cup is a really great platform to test my skills right before the Asian Games as it is an ADT event and there will be many strong players teeing off from the Asian region. The course seems very challenging and the greens look very fast and similar to international conditions which is what we need just before we head to Indoanesia for the Asian Games. It will be fun competing with the international professionals here.”