Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The inaugural Panasonic Open (India) will make its debut on the Asian Tour in the first week of April in a move destined to reinforce the massive popularity of the game in the sub-continent.

The newest tournament will be one of three Indian events to feature on the Asian Tour’s 2011 Schedule. The Panasonic Open (India) will attract top international golfers from the Asian Tour including India’s leading stars such as S.S.P. Chowrasia, winner of the Avantha Masters last month, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, a two-time Asian Tour champion.

The new $300,000 full-field tournament will be staged at the Delhi Golf Club from April 6 (Wednesday) to 9 (Saturday), 2011, with four days of highlights to be broadcast daily on the Asian Tour’s global television platform reaching out to over 40 countries and 440 million homes.

An added incentive for the players will be that the top three players of the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from Sep 22-25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.

The event in Delhi will also be co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Panasonic India President, Daizo Ito said: “We are delighted to launch the Panasonic Open (India) which we believe will benefit the game positively in India. Professional golf has grown immensely in the sub-continent with the emergence of great Indian champions on the Asian Tour and we look forward to welcoming a worthy winner in our tournament.”

Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour, lauded Panasonic’s latest commitment to the Asian Tour. “As one of the most famous brands in the world, we are honoured that Panasonic continues to support professional golf at the elite level via the Asian Tour,” said Han.

“The launch of the Panasonic Open (India) reinforces the Asian Tour’s growth and appeal as a brand due to our cosmopolitan membership which consists of players from over 30 different nationalities. This tournament will raise the profile and popularity of golf in the country and with the extensive television coverage, it will make India a preferred golfing destination for golf enthusiasts.”

Padamjit Sandhu, director PGTI said: “These are robust and exciting times for professional golf in India. We welcome and thank Panasonic for coming on board and helping create another strong platform to further grow the sport in the region and look forward to a highly competitive week of professional golf. We are confident, the PGTI & Asian Tour joint sanctioned Panasonic Open (India) will grow over the years.”

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has decided the title sponsorship in India as the extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.