Battle of greens intensifies, PGTI slams door on PGAI players

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) The nascent Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) today made it clear that they will not allow players who are with the PGAI to participate in its events, first of which, Bilt Open, tees off on October 26.

Talking to reporters here today, Shiv Kapur, who has switched allegiance with the breakaway group, said, ''Our entry is open and anyone can join PGTI as a member. But certainly, you can't be member of both the tours. Asian or European Tours don't allow it either.

''You just can't have pieces of both the pies,'' he said.

Earlier, the Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI) had announced that they won't stop the breakaway players from competing in their events.

Uttam Singh Mundy, one of the PGTI Board of Directors, was also apprehensive with the PGAI invitation to play.

''According to the existing PGAI norms, members of a tour can't play in another tour and I don't know how can they say that. I think they will have to change their rules for that,'' he explained.

Jyoti Randhawa, meanwhile, admitted that he was not against a merger of both the bodies but said, ''Such a merger would definitely help but it has to be in a way that helps the player.'' All the golfers exuded confidence that the Rs 70 lakh Bilt Open, scheduled in J P Greens in Greater Noida from October 26-29 would prove a huge success.

''The Bilt Open is the first tournament in the PGTI calendar and we could not have a better start. Rs 70 lakh is a good prize money anywhere and the number of top pros teeing off in the tournament is really encouraging. Fortunately, this event suceeds Indian Open and so we have got quite a few Asian Tour regulars here,'' Randhawa said.

Shiv Kapur claimed Asian Tour regulars like Rick Gibson are aware of the developments and have lent their support for PGTI.

''They are quite aware of it and felt the need to support us. We have discussed the issue in details with them.

''PGTI is of the players and for the players and we can assure you that Indian golf is in safe hands,'' he added.

UNI AY PM BS1406