Nakajima Poised for Title Defense at Hero Indian Open
Seoul, Korea - Keita Nakajima, the reigning champion, is set to defend his title at the prestigious Hero Indian Open, hosted at the scenic DLF Golf and Country Club. After clinching his first DP World Tour title here last season, Nakajima returns to the tournament where his journey into golf's elite began.
Last year, Nakajima impressed the golfing world with a wire-to-wire, four-shot victory, outplaying notable competitors including home favorite Veer Ahlawat, Swede Sebastian Söderberg, and American Johannes Veerman. This was a standout achievement, coming in only his 11th start on the DP World Tour.
Now 24, Nakajima approaches this year’s tournament with heightened confidence, bolstered by his recent second-place finish at the Porsche Singapore Classic. This result propelled him to the 20th spot on the Race to Dubai Rankings, and he is now focused on securing a coveted dual membership with the PGA TOUR.
A Field of Strong Contenders
Nakajima is joined by a strong lineup including Richard Mansell from England, who recently topped the Asian Swing Rankings after triumphing over Nakajima in Singapore. This victory marked Mansell's first on the DP World Tour.
The tournament will also feature top Indian golfers like Shubhankar Sharma, S.S.P Chawrasia, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, all ready to make their mark on their home turf. Sharma, a two-time DP World Tour winner and the highest ranked Indian globally, along with Chawrasia, a four-time winner eyeing his third national open title, add to the deep pool of talent competing this year.
Celebrating Hero's Longstanding Partnership
The 2025 edition of the Hero Indian Open celebrates Hero MotoCorp’s 17th year as the Title Partner. Hero MotoCorp, a global leader in the two-wheeler market based in New Delhi, continues to support this iconic event, enhancing its stature in the global golfing calendar.
This year's tournament is the second event in the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, which includes four tournaments. The players are not only competing for the title but also for positions in the top three of the final Asian Swing Rankings, which would earn them a spot in the 2025 US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Nakajima as he aims to replicate his last year's performance and further establish his standing in the world of golf. With a strong field and high stakes, the Hero Indian Open promises to be a compelling display of skill and competition.