DUBAI, December 16 – The forthcoming EMAAR-MGF IndiaN Masters will have a strong presence of home-grown players when the first European Tour event ever to be played in India gets under way at the Delhi Golf Club from February 7 to 10.
The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and 'golf in DUBAI' – the promoters and organizers of the $ 2.5 million event – on Sunday announced that a minimum of 25 spots will be allocated for Indian players in the 120 strong field.
Of the 120 players, eight spots have been reserved for sponsors, two for amateurs and the remaining 110 places have been divided equally between the European Tour and Asian Tour players -- that is 55 players for each tour.
The 55 Asian Tour players will include a minimum of 25 Indian players as the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters will bring the European Tour, the Asian Tour and the PGTI together in this tri-sanctioned event – the richest ever to held in India.
“It (the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters) is the birth of what we are both optimistic will become an Indian tradition,” stated Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI, while addressing the media alongside Gautam Thapar, president of PGTI.
Both gentlemen were in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday at the Dubai Ladies Masters, one of the five events that golf in DUBAI, as promoters and organisers, executes worldwide.
"Both PGTI and golf in DUBAI have objectives that are parallel to each other. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before we collaborated in a positive way and moved forward collectively,” said Thapar.
"We are impressed with the commitment that golf in DUBAI has made to the Indian Golf Union, and admire the way they promote the game through Shaikh Maktoum Foundation," said Thapar, just hours after flying into Dubai from New York.
"We want to build the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters on a powerful foundation, and working with the PGTI is a key step that will ensure this happens," said Buamaim.
About the star attractions of the tournament, Buamaim said: "Ernie Els will be joined by most of the golf in DUBAI ambassadors which include Mark O'Meara, Lee
Westwood, Thomas Bjorn, Jeev Milkha Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Ross Bain. We will confirm the players in the coming weeks."
When asked is there any possibility of Tiger Woods featuring in the event in the near future since the world number enjoys a good relationship with golf in DUBAI and is a regular to Dubai, Buamaim said: "Well, we can't say anything at this moment. May be we will discuss that possibility when the European Tour announces the 2009 schedule."
Talking about PGTI, Thapar said the tour will comprise 24 events in 2008, boasting a prize fund of a couple of million dollars. "The membership of the PGTI, he said, has crossed the 300 mark and another 150 applications are pending," he said.
"The tour is going stronger every year and the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters will be a great opportunity for players to leave their imprints on a bigger stage."
Pic caption:
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI, and Gautam Thaper, president of the PGTI, shake hands after announcing details of the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters in Dubai on Sunday.
