A battle for glory as defending Champion Nakajima leads star-studded field at Hero Indian Open
As the second event of the five-tournament Asian Swing, this championship holds significant weight in the Race to Dubai Rankings and offers crucial Ryder Cup and Major Championship points. With a $2.25 million prize fund and a pathway to the 2025 U.S. PGA Championship, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the Porsche Singapore Classic, Nakajima is eager to continue his impressive run and solidify his place among golf's rising stars. He faces stiff competition, including last week's winner Richard Mansell, who captured his maiden DP World Tour victory in Singapore and now sits inside the top 10 on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
Homegrown Heroes
Indian golf fans will have plenty to cheer for, with local favourites vying for glory on home soil. Shubhankar Sharma, a two-time DP World Tour winner, leads the Indian contingent alongside Veer Ahlawat, who dominated the 2024 PGTI season and is now testing his skills on the DP World Tour. S.S.P. Chawrasia, a two-time champion of this event, is back, aiming to reclaim his crown at one of India's most prestigious golf tournaments.
Adding to the intrigue, John Parry enters the event as the highest-ranked player in the field on the Race to Dubai Rankings (3rd place). The Englishman has been in red-hot form, with a victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and two runner-up finishes this season. Another rising star, Joshua Berry, will look to capitalize on his strong performances in India, having recently won the Kolkata Challenge and finished runner-up at the Delhi Challenge.
A True Test of Championship Golf
The DLF Golf & Country Club has earned a reputation as one of the toughest and most visually striking courses on the DP World Tour. With its water-laden fairways, dramatic bunkering, and undulating greens, the course demands precision and patience. Players will have to navigate both the Lakes Nine and the Quarry Nine, ensuring that every shot counts in the race for the trophy.
More Than Just a Tournament
As part of DP World's Balls for Birdies initiative, each birdie, eagle, and albatross made during the tournament will contribute to grassroots golf programs worldwide, making the Hero Indian Open not just a premier sporting event, but also a force for good in growing the game.
The Hero Indian Open marks Tournament 14 of 42 on the 2025 Race to Dubai, and it plays a pivotal role in determining which three DP World Tour members will earn coveted spots in the 2025 U.S. PGA Championship. With Asian Swing ranking points on the line, players will be pushing themselves to the limit to secure their future in golf's biggest events.
As the action unfolds at DLF G&CC, all eyes will be on who emerges victorious in one of Asia's most storied golf championships. Will Nakajima successfully defend his title? Can an Indian star rise to the occasion? Or will a new champion make history? Stay tuned for a week of high-stakes drama, world-class golf, and unforgettable moments.
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