The trio of Viraj Madappa, S Chikkarangappa and Khalin Joshi will spearhead the home challenge at the inaugural USD 300,000 Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship starting here on Thursday.
The three Indians will take on the in-form Korean Taehee Lee and Japan's Masahiro Kawamura. Lee and Kawamura finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Habitat for Humanity Standings for the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.
Bank BRI Indonesia Open winner, Miguel Carballo of Argentina will be another strong contender alongside South African Daniel Van Tonder, who comes in with four top-15 finishes in last five starts on Asian and Sunshine Tour in Africa.
Sweden's Malcolm Kokocinski, who had a very strong showing in 2018, including a maiden win in Bangladesh Open, will also be gunning for the title.
While Madappa, Joshi and Kokocinski achieved their maiden breakthrough wins last year and full exemption onto the Asian Tour, Taehee and Carballo have won this season to signal their arrival.
The other Indian challengers include Rashid Khan and Ajeetesh Sandhu.
Rashid has two wins from 11 starts this season, both on the PGTI, and six other Top-10s, including two on the Asian Tour. While
"It will be up to each one to adapt as best as possible here. Putting together four good rounds will be testing, but that is why we play. I have played here before but not in these conditions and while the course looks in great shape, it will demand accurate play," Madappa said
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