Digvijay, Ghei back at happy hunting course

For Ghei, the venue holds positive memories since he, playing the TCL Classic at the same course, finished tied fifth which more or less made his task of making the card for 2007 fairly easy.

The two will be among a total of nine Indians in the field for the 200,000 event. Of them, Amandeep Johl, ranked 17th on the UBS Asian Tour order of merit, and second at the Pakistan Open earlier this year, will be hoping to achieve his breakthrough win.

Other Indians in the field include Harmeet Kahlon, Rahil Gangjee, Amritinder Singh, Uttam Singh Mundy, SSP Chowrasia and Gurbaaz Mann. Chowrasia, who had begun playing well towards the end of the first half of the season, will be hoping to carry on his form and ensure a card for next year. He is currently 77th and the top 60 get full rights for following year.

Digvijay came very close to a win as he held sole lead for the first round and then shared it for the next two. On the final day he fell back and ended tied third with two others including Shiv Kapur, just one shot behind prayad marksaeng and Marcus both. Marksaeng won the play-off.

A total of 144 players will compete at the event, which will be the 17th leg on the 2006 Asian Tour calendar.

Following the success of its first two editions in 2004 and 2005 where it was staged in Shanghai and Beijing, the Open will be played at a venue which has previously hosted several Asian Tour events.

Yalong Bay staged the Sanya Open in 2003 and 2004, won by Australians Marcus both and Terry Pilkadaris respectively. Marksaeng has signed up both.