Shubhankar Sharma, Gaganjeet Bhullar and SSP Chawrasia. Filepic
Fairmont, St. Andrews: Shubhankar Sharma along with Gaganjeet Bhullar and SSP Chawrasia will lead the Indian challenge at the 2021 Hero Open, The second edition of the event will be held on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St. Andrews.
All three Indians are winners on the European Tour and would like to make a mark once again as golf continues in the time of the pandemic.
Last year, the venue made its debut on the European Tour during Adrian Otaegui’s victory at the Scottish Championship. While the defending Hero Open winner Sam Horsfield won’t feature in this week’s field, Otaegui will be there to attempt more success in Scotland.
European Tour winners Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson are among 17 Scots attempting to become the first Scottish player to win a European Tour title on home soil since Paul Lawrie’s victory during the 2012 Johnnie Walker Championship.
David Drysdale joins them, along with the next generation of Scottish stars in Grant Forrest, Callum Hill, David Law, Liam Johnston and Connor Syme. They are all seeking maiden European Tour victories and are hopeful there will be some home support in St. Andrews.
Back after making its European Tour debut for a different event last year, this week’s event will be held over the Torrance Course, originally designed by former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance.
Gene Sarazen was the first mastermind behind both courses at Fairmont St Andrews resort, but after his passing Sam Torrance continued with the design, and opened the course along with the hotel in 2001.
The course, which has since seen several holes redesigned, lies a few miles outside of St Andrews, and iconic views over the town can be seen from the dramatic 16th green, which is situated on a cliff edge.
One of the unique features of the 7,230 yard par 72 course are the old boundary farm walls, which were incorporated into the design to maintain the history of the land – and also pose a challenge to players.
