Hero MotoCorp Extends its Title Sponsorship of Hero Indian Open

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In keeping with its long-term commitment to the promotion of sports, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. - the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer - has extended its more than a decade long support for the Hero Indian Open by signing a new agreement to remain as the tournament’s Title Sponsor.

The New Delhi (India) headquartered Company has been a valued European Tour partner since first becoming involved with India’s national open in 2005.

The Hero Indian Open will also return to DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR, for the second consecutive year, on March 8-11, 2018.

The Hero Indian Open will be promoted for the first time this season by the Indian Golf Union, who will join the European Tour and the Asian Tour to tri-sanction the tournament.

Last year, the tournament enjoyed a memorable debut on DLF’s Gary Player course as home favourite SSP Chawrasia successfully defended the title to claim his fourth European Tour win.

Chawrasia had finished as runner-up at the Hero Indian Open on four occasions - in 1999, 2006, 2013 and 2015 - before piping countryman Anirban Lahiri and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang to take the coveted title for the first time in 2016.

He is expected to lead the local challenge once again amongst a field of established and up and coming European Tour and Asian Tour players, in an exciting season for Indian golf which began with another local star, Shubhankar Sharma, sealing his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “We have been associated with various disciplines of sport over the past two decades, but our association with Golf is especially gratifying because of the overarching growth the sport has seen during the past decade.

“We are pleased to extend our association with the Hero Indian Open, which we have now sponsored for the past 12 years. Brand Hero is now a major supporter of golf on all the three Tours – Asian Tour, European Tour and the US PGA Tour. With a very strong line-up expected once again this year, I am sure the fans have a lot to look forward to at the Hero Indian Open 2018.”

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, said: “The involvement of Hero MotoCorp has helped this tournament to go from strength to strength. Our thanks go to Mr. Pawan Munjal and his team for their continued support of Indian golf and in particular this event, which has proved to be of real benefit to emerging local golfers who have had the opportunity to grow their careers on the European Tour. "We are delighted to return to the wonderful surroundings of the Gary Player course at DLF Golf and Country Club for the second year, and we look forward to seeing some of the stars of both the European Tour and the Asian Tour vie for the coveted Hero Indian Open title.”

Satish Aparajit, President of the Indian Golf Union, the apex body for golf in India, said: “The Hero Indian Open has become a very important stop on the European and Asian Tours. Besides attracting global stars, it has been a platform for upcoming juniors not only from all over Asia and Europe but also India. We once again look forward to some very exciting golf. We greatly appreciate the support we have received over the years from Hero MotoCorp.”