Khel Now stand vindicated as five out of six sponsored pros miss cut at Hero Indian Open 2024

Non-inclusion of two-time champion SSP Chawrasia ruined India’s chances of laying their hands on the coveted trophy.

The lightning and light showers on Friday took a toll on many professionals competing in the $2.25 million Hero Indian Open 2024. A total of 46 golfers were unable to finish their second rounds and had to resume action early on Saturday to scrape into the weekend rounds of the DP World Tour event.

However, five out of the six pros who received invitations from title sponsors Hero MotoCorp – Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Nicolas Colsaerts, Kazuma Kobori – failed to make the cut.

LIV Golf regular and Olympian Anirban Lahiri endured the biggest heartbreak as he didn’t qualify for the prize money rounds despite sinking three birdies in the last four holes. Lahiri carded four-under 68 for a two-day total of 1-over 145 even as the cut line was announced at one-under par.

Dubai-based Shiv Kapur missed out on the weekend rounds with a two-over 146, while Ajeetesh Sandhu carded a three-over 75 for an overall tally of five-over 149. New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori carded 78 and 71 to end his hopes of earning a slice of the prize purse. Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts at eight-over 152 also missed the cut. Only Laurie Canter of England made the weekend rounds at one-under 143.

Non-inclusion of two-time Indian Open champion and four-time runner-up – SSP Chawrasia – vindicated Khel Now’s stand that the organizers must value their champion golfers when it comes to handing out sponsor exemption spots. The choice of golfers getting invitations was heavily criticized by leading Indian pros, including one of India’s most decorated golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar.

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“How can SSP Chawrasia be left out? Has the tournament become bigger than The Masters? A champion of the tournament deserves respect. If the management can understand the need of Anirban Lahiri and his quest of earning world ranking points to qualify for the Paris Olympics, why cannot they help the tournament’s winner,” the 11-time Asian Tour champion told Khel Now.

Many Indian pros echoed Bhullar’s sentiments but refused to be named.

There is only one Indian golfer in the top-10 – Veer Ahlawat (69-66-69; Sixth) – with Manu Gandas (73-65-70), another home pro, ending the third round in tied 13th position, at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram which shows a huge decline in the local challenge.

The Masters’ champions get a lifelong spot in the first Major championship of the season which is one of the reasons why a certain Tom Watson or Arnold Palmer were able to win the tournament in their 60s.

The legendary status of these golfers was considered much above their form or rankings.

Chawrasia knows the Gary Player Black Knight course at the back of his head and had won the 2017 edition by a whopping seven strokes despite not being a long hitter. The four-time DP World Tour winner and Arjuna awardee is well respected amongst golf circles, which were abuzz with the news of him not getting entry into the tournament.

Who knows if Chawrasia had competed in this edition, the Indian performance would have been stronger.

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