In-form Chawalit leads star cast at Sail Open

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Chawalit Plaphol

In-form Thai star Chawalit Plaphol will lead a star cast of Asian Tour champions at the $300,000 SAIL-SBI Open at the Delhi Golf Club next week.

Chawalit claimed his fourth career title at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open last Sunday to emerge as one of the early favourites for the sixth edition of the SAIL-SBI Open.
Over 25 other Tour champions have signed up for the second leg the 2013 schedule, which marks the Asian Tour’s milestone 10th season since it was launched as a players’ organisation in 2004.
Others heading to the venerable DGC from March 6 to 9 include American Berry Henson, Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg, who has won twice previously in India including the 2010 edition, Australian Darren Beck and big-hitting Scott Hend, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, who shot a world-record 32-under-par 256 at the event in 2009.
Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera, who finished second in Myanmar, will be eager to maintain his flying start to his first full season on the Asian Tour while French rookie Lionel Webber, Singapore’s Quincy Quek and India’s Rahil Gangjee will be hoping to build on last week’s top-10 performances in Yangon.
All eyes will be on Chawalit following his superb victory over Perera where he needed two closing birdies to win the Myanmar title by one shot. The 38-year-old Thai believes the early season victory will pave the way for the year ahead.
“I’m happy but a first win in two years is not enough! I want to win more Asian Tour titles. This win gives me more confidence to play on the Asian Tour,” said Chawalit.
India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar and title holder Anirban Lahiri will be amongst the top stars expected to challenge for the title.
Former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa, who has triumphed on multiple occasions at the DGC, will also be expected to launch a title charge next week along with Digvijay Singh.