The $500,000 HSBC India Legends Golf Championship is set to tee off at the Jaypee Greens on Friday, promising a thrilling clash between home stars and international champions. The three-day tournament, which offers a $74,250 prize for the winner, will see Indian legends Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, and Mukesh Kumar vying for the title against the likes of Michael Campbell and Adison Da Silva.
Jeev Milkha Singh, who doubles as the host, expressed his excitement for the event, stating, “The guys are loving every bit of their Indian experience, from the food to visiting the Taj Mahal. They are really enjoying the golf course which has been prepared very well.” He also expressed his hope for a home winner, as the champion would join the Legends Tour from next week and compete for a full year.
Jyoti Randhawa, who earned his spot on the Legends Tour through the Qualifying School finals earlier this year, is eager to compete on home turf. “I have good memories of Jaypee Greens, having won here multiple times. With the way the course is playing, and taking the weather into account, I think the Indian players will have an advantage,” Randhawa stated.
The field boasts a strong international contingent, including US Open champion Michael Campbell, who has 15 other wins around the world. Also in contention is Adison Da Silva of Brazil, who had the honor of hitting the first tee shot when golf returned to the Olympics in Rio in 2016. Other prominent players include James Kingston, Joakim Haeggman, and Jarmo Sandelin.
The pro-am event on Thursday saw Amandeep Johl leading his team of amateurs Rajeev Singh, Ravinder Bhati, and Amit Prakash Singh to victory with 85 points. Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden, with amateurs Akhil Sambhar, Amaan Sanwalka, and Mayank Sanwalka, finished second, two points ahead of Kapil Dev, Sanjay Sharma, and Vivek Bhandari, led by James Kingston of South Africa.
