Major champion Harrington star attraction at Hero Indian Open

Three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington will be the cynosure of all eyes when the 52nd Hero Indian Open returns with Anirban Lahiri looking to defend his title in one of the strongest-ever fields at the prestigious Delhi Golf course next month.
The 44-year-old Irish, who won The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Championship, also in 2008, will be competing against a strong field of players from Europe and Asia when the national open is held from March 17 to 20.
Besides former champions like Siddikur Rahman (Bangladesh), Thaworn Wiratchant (Thailand) and Mardan Mamat (Singapore), the Indian field will include Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, SSP Chawrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rashid Khan, Rahil Gangjee, Himmat Rai and Chiragh Kumar.

Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the second straight year, the prestigious event will carry an enhanced prize purse of USD 1.66 million.
"I am really looking forward to play at the Indian Open. It is starting on St Patricks Day. I played in India as an amateur in the early 1990s and it would be great to be back in India and see all the changes," said Harrington, who will be defending his title at the Honda Classic at Palm Beach, US from February 25 to 28.
"India has emerged as a strong golfing nation and the Asian tour has grown from strength to strength and I hope to be up for the challenge," added the Irish golfer in a video message.

The 28-year-old Lahiri, who ranks inside World's Top-50 and has featured in all four Majors and the Presidents Cup last year, had won the Hero Indian Open in a remarkable run and he will look to train his eyes on the title.

Hero MotoCorp will continue its association with the
Indian Open, which now enters its second decade, as the Title Sponsor of this iconic event for the 11th consecutive year.
"Hero MotoCorp has been associated with golf for more than two decades now, nurturing the game since its nascent days. It started in 1997 at the Hero Honda masters and now we have been there for 20 years. Anirban has reached new heights and is playing in PGA tour now. Young Aditi Ashok too is blossoming as she plays in LET," said J Narain, Sports Advisor Hero Moto Corp.

"I have seen Padraig Harrington play at the Majors and am sure, with his presence, and that of a strong Indian line-up, this year's edition is going to offer some exciting golf for all the fans," he added.
Among other dignitaries, Vaibhav Agarwal, Vice-President, Nimbus Sport, Charlie Tingey, Senior Director, EurAsia Golf, Raj Khosla, Captain, Delhi Golf Club, Wg Cdr Arun Kumar Singh, Director General, The Indian Golf Union, were also present.