New Delhi: Former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson will aim to replicate his European form on Asian soil when he tees off at the $300,000 Panasonic Open India at Delhi Golf Club form April 4 to 7.
The Englishman has finished second nine times on the European Tour and reached the pinnacle when he represented Europe at the 2008 Ryder Cup, coming from four down to defeat Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson 2 and 1 on the second day foursomes alongside partner Henrik Stenson. The 32-year-old came close to winning in Asia when he finished second behind Spain's Sergio Garcia at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai in 2009 and is ready to test himself against the best players from the region's premier Tour.
"I'll be trying all I can to get the win but it certainly won't be easy considering the strength of the field," said Wilson, who was a member of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2003 before turning professional later that year. The Englishman's challenge at the Panasonic Open India will be put to test by a strong line-up of players from the Asian Tour. They include local stalwarts Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar, Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, who won his fourth Asian Tour title in Myanmar.
Lahiri is dubbed the king of Delhi Golf Club as all his three Asian Tour titles were won at the venerable venue while Bhullar is currently in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit following his runner-up finish at the Avantha Masters two weeks ago. As one of four events in India to feature on the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule, the Panasonic Open India will once again attract big galleries to the Delhi Golf Club to witness four days of world-class golf action.
In the inaugural tournament, Lahiri broke through with a stylish victory for his maiden Asian Tour title while countryman Digvijay Singh ensured the trophy remained in India after another captivating performance where he sealed his first triumph on the Asian Tour 12 months ago.
The top three players of the Panasonic Open India will also be extended invitations to the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open to be held in Osaka, Japan this September.
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