‘Open’ strategy in golf’s future plans: International Series eager to integrate National Open

SINGAPORE: “All systems cool,” reassured Rahul Singh, with speculation on the longterm future of LIV Golf still raging. The head of the International Series at LIV tried to douse the blaze and promised firepower “in every single country that we’re going to,” including the second edition of IS India to be hosted by Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru in October.

Will it be the second coming of Bryson DeChambeau? “Anirban (Lahiri) will be there,” he confirmed. And may just bring a few friends. “There’s no reason for us to feel anything but buoyant,” he reiterated, on the sidelines of the $2 million Singapore Open.

“The National Open strategy is central to what LIV is trying to achieve and the International Series (co-sanctioned by Asian Tour) is going to drive that. That means absorbing the National Opens into the IS. We’ve seen that by bringing in the Hong Kong Open, Singapore Open, and now the Philippine Open into the fold of the Series.”

Then, he made his swing.

Asked about the Indian Open, which is co-sanctioned by Indian Golf Union and DP World Tour, he said, “We would love for the Indian Open to become part of the series. We respect the fact that they’re part of another tour, and they have to choose. The IGU will ultimately have to decide what route they want to take. If they speak with us, we welcome the conversations. At the same time, we want them to come to us.”

He added, “What I will say is that I definitely hope that in the future the Indian Open is going to see the best Indian players play alongside the best global talent. And I think at the moment, that is something that it’s not seen.”

Gaganjeet Bhullar, the last golfer to win on a top Tour (2023), was unable to secure a place amid an ongoing dispute between the official PGTI Tour and newbie IGPL.

As well as Karandeep Kochhar, who finished fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship this Feb, and now comes off a T5th finish at the IS Japan in early April. “To be honest, I think I’m okay with not playing. I feel like on the Asian Tour, we are given a lot of opportunities. Whatever I can control I want to focus on that,” Karandeep struck a pragmatic tone. “Hopefully, there is a solution for at least the bigger events and for the greater good of Indian golf, we have the best players — Gaganjeet and SSP Chawrasia (the last Indian to win the National Open in 2016 and 2017) should be playing these events, forget about me.”

For the record, there are seven IGPL players and four PGTI players attempting to crack the code at the Sentosa Golf Club, including Bhullar, SSP, Jeev Milkha Singh, and Shiv Kapur.

The picture-perfect Serapong course is framed by views of the cityscape, and the ships crossing the Singapore Straits — a different world from another part of Asia.

On display in the clubhouse alongside the tournament trophy, sits a symbol of golf ’s oldest tradition: the Claret Jug, ensconced in a glass box. The leading two players, if not already qualified, will earn places in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in July. It’s a reminder of what all golfers aspire for, whatever their allegiance.

(The writer is in Singapore at the invitation of International Series)

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