Four years later, Daniel comes calling

In a season marked with stories to remember, it8217;s only fair that the lead of Indian golf8217;s original romantic tale is going to make an appearance.

In a season marked with stories to remember, it8217;s only fair that the lead of Indian golf8217;s original romantic tale is going to make an appearance.

After Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal started their long-awaited trips back home at the Delhi Golf Club this past year, it8217;s the turn of Sweden8217;s Daniel Chopra, who learnt his golf while growing up in the city, to add his name to the guest list. Chopra will cap his fabulous run this season with a try at the newly augmented prize-money pool at the Indian Open this October.

The 1 million Asian Tour event, a straight doubling of the prize money from last year, will be played at the DGC from October 9 to 12.

Chopra had last played in India when he took part in the Skins Challenge at Gurgaon8217;s DLF golf club with Vijay Singh in 2004. But from a rookie having just managed to earn his USPGA card then, who couldn8217;t tire of letting it be known how pal Jeev Milkha Singh helped him out in tough times, it will be a very different journey this time. Chopra will come as a two-time PGA tour winner, fresh off a season where he almost made the Ryder Cup cut-off for Europe, and as the big draw at the tournament.

The 34-year-old had won the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii at the start of the current year, to add to the Ginn sur Mer Classic title he had claimed last year.

Chopra expressed his enthusiasm at coming back to a course he had fond memories of. 8220;I8217;m really happy to be playing in the Indian Open first time since 2001. It8217;s one of the oldest and most prestigious events on the Asian Tour,8221; he said.

Also back is Mark Brown, the New Zealand player who found his form and faith on the Indian greens at the start of the current season, with his four-shot dominating win at the Asian Tour8217;s SAIL Open in February and a rather more surprising last-day takeover of the European Tour8217;s Johnnie Walker Classic the week after.

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But seeking his own piece of history will be defending champion Jyoti Randhawa, who won his third straight title last year, looking increasingly at home at a course that can bring the best, and the worst, out in a player. Randhawa8217;s attempt at a fourth title, if he succeeds, will make him the only player in the tournament8217;s 45-year-old history to have done so.

Among other big-name players to confirm entries are China8217;s Liang wen-Chong, last year8217;s Asian Tour Order of Merit topper, who made Chinese history with that feat. SSP Chowrasia will complete a top Asian Tour line-up, coming back to the course where he broke through with his EPGA India Masters victory earlier this year.

Jeev Milkha Singh has yet to confirm entry, with official information being that he is still assessing his long-problematic ankle injury.