India Masters returns with increased prize money

Golf event India Masters will make its return to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule in October with increased prize money of $120,000, officials announced on Monday.

The second edition of the event will be staged at the Eagleton - the Golf Village here from October 28 to 31 with a significant 71 percent increase in the prize purse from the $70,000 offered last year.

Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has once again joined forces to stage the tournament where the money earned by players will be counted towards the ADT and PGTI Order of Merits.

The inaugural edition was won by local young talent Chikka S. and it will be the burgeoning Tour's only stop in India this season, raising the schedule to a record 23 tournaments.

"We sincerely thank (sponsor) Take Solutions for their continued support to the India Masters and in promoting the sport of golf in India," Asian Tour Commercial Director Shahid Sen said.

PGTI Director Padamjit Sandhu said: "We are happy to count the India Masters on the PGTI Order of Merit, and the World Ranking points on offer will help young Indian professionals migrate to the Asian Tour, and stake a claim for a spot at the 2016 Olympics."

Starting with five tournaments in 2010, the ADT schedule grew to 21 events in 2014 and now comprises of a record 23 events in total for the 2015 season.

The top five finishers on the final Order of Merit will earn playing rights in the 2016 Asian Tour season. The winner of India Masters, like all other ADT events, will receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning OWGR points through the Asian Tour and ADT.