Panasonic Open India to offer more prize money

New Delhi: The Panasonic Open India will offer an increased prize fund of USD 400,000 when it returns for a fifth consecutive year on the Asian Tour schedule from November 5-8.

The popular event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will be staged once again at the Delhi Golf Club, site of many dramatic finishes in previous editions of the tournament.

The tournament was launched in 2011 with a prize fund of USD 300,000 and has propelled the careers for many leading players including home hero Anirban Lahiri, who won his first Asian Tour title at the inaugural edition.

Since then, Lahiri, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, has claimed six other Asian Tour titles and also finished tied fifth in the year s final Major at the PGA Championship to make a return into the world s top-50 ranking.

Local hope Digvijay Singh and Wade Ormsby of Australia secured their maiden Asian Tour titles in 2012 and 2013 respectively while India s S.S.P. Chawrasia claimed a dramatic win when he defeated countryman Rahil Gangjee and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka on the first play-off hole last year.

Sarthak Seth, head - brand and marketing communications, Panasonic India said: "The Panasonic Open India has enjoyed huge success over the last four years and we feel this tournament is growing up year by year. Now prize found increases USD 100,000 to bring the total prize fund to USD 400,000 on offer to the players.

"The tournament has produced worthy champions over the years with the likes of Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P. Chawrasia leading the way and we look forward to returning to the Delhi Golf Club again," said Seth.