Campbell set for Indian Open

New Zealand抯 Michael Campbell has confirmed his participation for the Indian Open, to be held from October 8 to 11.

Campbell, joins PGA Tour players, Indian star Arjun Atwal and two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden, in what has become a very strong field for India抯 National Open.

揑t is a great thrill for me to play the Hero Honda Indian Open,?said Campbell. 揋olf is booming in India with great players, fantastic courses and a growing schedule of tournaments.

揑 have heard a lot about the Indian Open, which is rich in history with notable winners like Peter Thomson and Payne Stewart down through the years. I hope to add my name to that list.?br />
40-year-old Campbell, who held off world number one Tiger Woods to win the US Open in 2005, joins the list of high profile players for one of the Asia抯 most prestigious National Opens.

Campbell, called 慍ambo?in the golfing fraternity, was the 2005 European Tour Golfer of the Year, during which he also won the World Match Play Championship to his US Open title. The same year he was also tied fifth at the British Open and tied sixth at the PGA Championships.

Meanwhile, Atwal, 1999 Indian Open champion, has been given a sponsor抯 spot to compete in the event.

Atwal, who has been on the PGA Tour for four of the past five years (he competed on the Nationwide Tour in 2008) last won on the Asian Tour when he clinched the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2008. Before that the Indian ace registered his second Hero Honda Masters win in 2003. Atwal also won the Hero Honda Masters in 2000 at the DLF Golf & Country Club and the Indian Open in 1999.

揑 am really looking forward to competing in the Hero Honda Indian Open 2009,?the 36-year-old Atwal said. 揑t has been sometime since I played competitive golf in India. I have had a fair bit of success in Asian Tour events in India with three wins in only a handful of appearances. I hope to add to that tally at the Hero Honda Indian Open 2009,?added the golfer who last competed at the Indian Open in 2005. Atwal finished tied-11 on that occasion.

India Open is the richest full-field event on the Asian Tour with prize money of US$1.25 million. It will be played for the first time at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon.