Panasonic Open golf from Nov. 6

Young talents Rashid Khan and Chiragh Kumar, along with a host of domestic tour regulars will have to contend with serious overseas challengers, including defending champion Wade Ormsby, when the $300,000 Panasonic Open golf championship commences at the Delhi Golf Club course here from November 6.

Lahiri to skip

With former champions Anirban Lahiri and Digvijay Singh missing the event for different reasons, the focus will shift to other Indian performers capable of doing well at the tree-lined course.

Lahiri, recent winner of the Macau Open, has prefered to play the WGC-HSBC Champions in China. Digvijay is nursing an injury.

Thaworn Wiratchant, the seasoned Thai who twice topped the Asian Tour money-list, Bangladesh’s consistent performer Siddikur Rahman, astruggling Jyoti Randhawa and S.S.P. Chowrasia will also be part of the field.

Chiragh aims to do well

After the formal launch of the event by Panasonic India & South Asia’s Managing Director Manish Sharma here on Thursday, Chiragh said, “my aim is to do well on my home course so that I finish the year among the top 60 (money winners) and retain my playing rights on the Asian Tour.”

Rashid, winner of the SAIL-SBI Open earlier this year after beating Siddikur in the playoff, said, “playing on the Asian Tour has given methe opportunity to play on different courses in the continent.

“That has been my biggest gain. I am learning a lot from the experience.”

The winner of the Panasonic Open will receive, besides the well-crafted trophy, a cheque for $54,000.