Tricky course, tough field worry Europeans at Indian Open

New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) An ''old-fashioned'' course and a strong Indian challenge worry the European trio of Simon Dyson, Graeme McDowell and Andrew Coltart who feel whoever plays the back nine better would lay his fingers on the Hero Honda Indian Open on Sunday.

''It's a fantastic course and it's a pleasure to play in an old-fashioned course, which is something unusual. And I must say it's in excellent condition,'' said Englishman Dyson, who would be fancying his chances, especially after bagging the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open title earlier this year.

Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland also described the Delgu Golf Club course as a ''break from the normal'' and he felt variety of golf shots would be played over the next four days.

''You have to play very, very well to win,'' he opined.

Buoyed after his first brush with the PGA Tour, the Irish golfer said it was a huge learning experience for him in the big league and he has his eyes on next year's Ryder Cup.

''I learnt a lot from the PGA Tour experience and I want to play in either sides of the Atlantic. I have my eyes on next year's Ryder Cup as well and I would concentrate on Europe in the coming season,'' he explained.

Asked what would be the key to success in the course, Dyson and McDowell agreed leaving the driver in the hotel room would be a good idea and playing back nine well might make all the difference.

''I think you have got to play a lot of different shots and use different clubs. You probably don't need the driver here,'' Dyson said.

McDowell, on the other hand, was worried with three back nine holes.

''I think whoever plays the back nine well on all four day would walk away with the title, especially the 14-16 holes,'' he explained.

On the field, which also includes defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and the Indian trio of Jyoti Randhawa, Gaurav Ghei and Shiv Kapur, the Europeans agreed it would not be a cakewalk for anyone.

''The Asian Tour is getting more and more competitive everyday and this tournament won't be any different. There are some damn good players and I'm looking forward to exciting golf,'' Dyson added.

Earlier today, MAerican Clay Devers and his team, also comprising Yamamori, Manish Sannaka and Ducky won the pro-am event, followed by Ashok Kumar's team, which had Milkha Singh, AS Chhatwal and Gurbaaz Mann. Arjun Singh and his teammates Shiela Sangwan, Vinay Goyal and Gaganjit Bhullar came third.

The event also saw the England cricketers Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison and James Anderson taking time off from their Champions Trophy schedule to tee off in the pro-am event, along with the likes of Kapil Dev and Madan Lal.

''It was a good break from cricket and I enjoy my golf. The only thing is that I don't get to play enough of it. Maybe when I sign off (from cricket), you would see me more on golf courses,'' Strauss said.

UNI AY RR DS1605