Chawrasia to lead Indian charge at Russian Open golf (Preview)

Experienced S.S.P. Chawrasia and four other Indian golfers will tee off in the one million euros ($1.12 million) Russian Open starting at the par-71 Kolkovo Golf Club here on Thursday.

Apart from world No.201 Chawrasia, other Indians who will take part in the European tour event are Jyoti Randhawa, Rahil Gangjee, Khalin Joshi, Gaganjeet Bhullar.

Kolkata's Chawrasia, a three-time winner on the European Tour, will tee off alongside Damien McGrane at 12.50 p.m., while world No.458 Gangjee will begin with Jason Scrivener and Jaco Ahlers at 8.40 a.m.

World No.621 Khalin will start his first round with Stephen Dundas and H.P. Bacher at 8.50 a.m., while world No.716 Bhullar will start with Mark Tullo and Ricardo Gonzalez at 7.40 a.m.

World No.413 and former Asian Tour champion Randhawa will commence his first round alongside Ben Stow and Jerome Lando Casanova at 12.00 p.m.

World No.166 David Horsey of England will begin his title defence with Prom Meesawat and former title winner Michael Hoey at 8.10 a.m.

The 30-year-old Horsey recently added a fourth title to his trophy cabinet by winning the Made in Denmark earlier this month, and so will be in a confident mood.