Montgomerie makes Avantha Masters debut

Greater NOIDA, February 26, 2013:  Colin Montgomerie, the most prolific British winner in European Tour history, will make his first appearance in the Avantha Masters when the €1.8million event takes place from March 14 to 17.

The Scot, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup glory in 2010, has won 31 European Tour titles – two of them in Asia – in an illustrious career, and will now hope to add to his impressive tally when the fourth edition of the Avantha Masters is held at a new venue, Jaypee Greens Golf Course, Greater Noida, India.      

Montgomerie said: “India is unquestionably one of the world’s biggest growth areas for golf, so I’m really looking forward to teeing up in the Avantha Masters. Having recently added a project in Goa to my golf course design portfolio, I hope to play my part in the development of the game in India.

“Whenever I have visited this fascinating country in the past, I have always found the people to be both very friendly and enthusiastic about golf. Hopefully the crowds will come along to support the tournament, and show that golf in India is enjoying a real popularity boom.”       

Montgomerie is the latest in a long line of European Tour champions to confirm their attendance in the Avantha Masters, which will again be tri-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

The eight-time winner of Europe’s Money List will be joined in New Delhi by England’s Simon Dyson, Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen and Frenchman Thomas Levet, who between them have captured a total of 15 European Tour titles.        

Padamjit Singh Sandhu, director of the PGTI, said: “The presence of a legend like Colin Montgomerie is an affirmation that Indian golf is going in the right direction. The Avantha Masters has established itself as a premium event on The European Tour International Schedule, and the new dates have enabled leading players to add the tournament to their schedules.

“I am sure more big names will confirm in the next few days. We are looking forward to one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a tournament in India, and that should provide for a great week of golf.”

Press release