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Avantha Masters Preview

Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Fergus Bisset
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Jeev Milkha Singh is favourite

Lowdown:
The European Tour is in India this week for the Avantha Masters at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi. Home players Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur will be looking to make an impact.
The competition is, in fact, sanctioned by three tours - the European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India.
With the exposure from the media, it's hoped the tournament will encourage the growth of the game in the world's second most populous country. "This week is a showcase for us and a great chance to put India on the golfing map," said Indian star player Shiv Kapur.
The Indian pros will have to get past a high quality field if they're to win on home soil. Ryder Cup players Darren Clarke and David Howell will be among those who tee it up in New Delhi.
The European Tour has visited the DLF Golf and Country Club before when New Zealand's Mark Brown won the Johnnie Walker Classic here back in 2008. Brown is also in the field for this tournament.
The championship course at the DLF G&CC was designed by Arnold Palmer. It's a garden-style layout with lush, rolling fairways, water hazards and many varieties of plants and shrubs surrounding the holes.

Venue: DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, India
Date: Feb 11-14
Course stats: par 72, 7,156 yards
Purse: €1,500,000 Winner: €250,000
Defending Champion: Inaugural event on European Tour

TV Coverage:
Thursday 11 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am
Friday 12 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am
Saturday 13 - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 6.30am
Sunday 14 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 6.30am

Player Watch:
Jeev Milkha Singh - India's number one showed reasonable form through the Gulf Swing and will be hoping to secure victory on home soil.
Rhys Davies - The 2009 Challenge Tour graduate finished in a tie for sixth at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. He'll aim to build on that finish here.
Shane Lowry - After a slow start to his professional career, the Irishman has found his feet in the pro ranks. He's currently 22nd in the Race to Dubai.

Key hole: 18th. A par 5 of 537 yards, this is a classic risk and reward finishing hole. Water short of the green means a decision must be made as to whether it's possible to go for it in two shots. The hole has the potential to witness eagles and double bogeys so there could be swings at the top of the leaderboard right at the death.

Skills required: Beating the home players. The Indian trio of Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Rhandawa will be tough to get past this week.