Kahlon leads locals in Indian Open

Kahlon leads locals in Indian Open

India's Harmeet Kahlon is confident a local player can win the Asian PGA Tour's Indian Open which starts at Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.

Kahlon, who won last month's Indian Masters at Gurgaon, is the top Indian professional at this week's event in the absence of European Tour regulars Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal, and multiple Asian Tour winner Jyoti Randhawa.

"There is every chance an Indian could win this tournament," Kahlon said on Wednesday.

"Everybody here is charged up since it is the national open, even the pros who play on the Indian circuit."

Singh and Atwal, who won his maiden European title in Singapore last month, are both playing in Qatar this week while Randhawa broke his collarbone in a motorcycle accident last week and could be out of action for three months.

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who last year became the first foreign player to win the Indian Open in four years, is also missing this week's event.

But Kahlon, 31, still faces a strong challenge from the likes of South African James Kingston, American Mike Cunning, Canadian Rick Gibson and the Thai duo of Prayad Marksaeng and Thaworn Wiratchant.

"There are a lot of players here who have been doing well in Asia over the last few years," Kahlon said. "Some really strong players have also come out of qualifying school this year, so it's going to be a tough tournament."

Kahlon is currently fourth in the 2002 Asian Tour's order of merit with earnings of $62,073 from four events.

"The greens at the Delhi Golf Club are as fast as ever and the rough is thick. Accuracy will be the key as always on this course," he said.