The TAKE Solutions Masters will return to the Karnataka Golf Association, Bengaluru with an increased prize fund of US$350,000 following the success of last year’s tournament.
TAKE Solutions, a globally-recognised domain-leader in life sciences and supply chain management, raised the purse by US$50,000 after a thrilling edition last year where Thai rising star Poom Saksansin claimed his second Asian Tour title.Â
TAKE’s ambassadors SSP Chawrasia, the six-time Asian Tour and four-time European Tour winner will be returning to the KGA course. The tournament will also see Khalin Joshi, whose second-place result made him India’s top finisher in last year’s event at his home course and the 2015 winner of the Panasonic Open India, Chiragh Kumar. They will also be joined by Bangalore boy, Chikkarangappa S.
The region’s talented Asian Tour stars and India’s formidable line-up will complete the elite field at the TAKE Solutions Masters which will be played from August 9 to 12. Â
The tournament is also an opportunity for the top players on the PGTI to test themselves against a world-class field. Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGTI, the money earned in the tournament will be counted on the Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity Standings and the PGTI Order of Merit. The tournament will also carry Official World Golf Ranking points.
The TAKE Solutions Masters was staged on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2014 and 2015, with both editions won by Chikkarangappa S before the tournament was upgraded to the Asian Tour in 2017. This year’s edition is expected to attract a strong international field and promises to provide four days of exhilarating golf.
TAKE has been associated with golf for over 15 years in efforts to create better infrastructure and greater playing opportunities in India and internationally. Srinivasan H R, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, TAKE Solutions said, “We are committed to seeking every opportunity to expose Indian golfing talent to international opportunities and TAKE Solutions Masters is a fantastic way to achieve this. After the success of last year’s tournament, it is great to be coming back to Bengaluru with an increased prize fund”.Â
Asian Tour Chief Operating Officer Cho Minn Thant said, “We would like to thank TAKE Solutions for their vision to grow the game in India and across the region. It is fantastic news that this year’s tournament will see an increased prize purse of US$350,000 from last year’s US$300,000.
“We truly appreciate Srinivasan H R’s effort and his continuous support of the Asian Tour and the development of golf in Asia. It is great to see more and more Indian players doing well on the Asian Tour, especially with the likes of Shubhankar Sharma, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Ajeetesh Sandhu, SSP Chawrasia and Shiv Kapur all winning on the Tour last year. This is truly a testament to TAKE’s commitment to golf,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the PGTI, CEO Uttam Singh Mundy said, “The TAKE Solutions Masters is a great opportunity for our Indian players to test themselves alongside the best in Asia and experience a truly world-class event, at one of our country’s finest golf courses.”
The tournament is promoted and managed by Kreeda Events who are looking forward to working with all the stakeholders to build on the success of last year and over the coming years develop the tournament into one of the leading events on the Asian Tour.Â
This year one area of focus will be to increase awareness among the Karnataka region’s golfers and encourage as many spectators as possible to make the most of the opportunity to witness world-class golf on their doorstep at the KGA course in Bengaluru.   Â