Team Golf XYZ
New Delhi, July 3: Indian golf suffered another body blow, as the biggest golfing event in India, the annual Hero Indian Open 2020, was cancelled, according to a statement released by the Indian Golf Union.
The tournament established in 1964 was scheduled to be held in March, but was then postponed to the latter part of the year. With the pandemic showing no signs of relenting and global travel restrictions being in force, the tournament was finally called off.
Recently, the biggest women’s event, the Hero Women’s Indian Open had been cancelled by the Women’s Golf Association of India and the Ladies European Tour.
So for the first time since its inception the event will not be held. However, there was a break in 2014. The Indian Open after being held in November 2013 as part of the 2013 Asian Tour was then held in February 2015, when it was also co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
The next edition is now likely in March 2021.
The IGU statement said, “Keeping the health and safety of everyone as top most priority in view of the current situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, theIndian Golf Union, the national body for golf in India,today announced the cancellation of the Hero Indian Open 2020.
The decision was made following consultation with the sanctioning partner, the European Tour.”
Lt Gen D Anbu (Retd), Acting President, Indian Golf Union, said, “It was a very difficult decision, but the right one under the present circumstances of the ongoing pandemic. With no likelihood of any respite in the foreseeable future, safeguarding the health and well-being of all players, officials and spectators is of paramount importance.”
He added, “I would like to thank Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. for his continued patronage, and the European Tour and Asian Tour for their support.”
The Hero Indian Open was established by the Indian Golf Union in 1964. It is one of the oldest running international sports events in India. Considered one of the flagship events in Asia, the event got a new title sponsor in 2005 when Hero MotoCorp stepped in and they have supported it since then.
The Hero Indian Open has been an European Tour-sanctioned tournament since 2015.
The defending champion is Stephen Gallacher, the first Scot to win the event.
Read also:
Hero Women’s Indian Open 2020 stands cancelled due to Covid-19
Hero Indian Open on calendar; dates yet to be released; ET resumes in July
