Second stage of the Challenge Tour in India

The Kolkata Challenge marks the second and final leg of the Challenge Tour season in India, taking place from March 21st to 24th. Organized in collaboration with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the tournament features four Italian contenders: Aron Zemmer, Pietro Bovari, Gregorio De Leo, and Luca Cianchetti.

Challenge Tour, results

Set against the backdrop of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata, the tournament boasts a field that includes three season winners who also rank highest in the Road To Mallorca standings. Leading the pack is Englishman John Parry, fresh off a victory at the previous Delhi Challenge, followed by Swedish players Mikael Lindberg and Björn Åkesson, winners of the Cape Town Open and the NMB Championship, respectively. Also among the top ten contenders are Englishmen Sam Hutsby and Chris Paysley, along with Frenchman Martin Couvra.

These players are among the favorites in the pre-tournament predictions, but they face stiff competition from a roster of talented participants, including English players Jack Senior, Jamie Rutherford, and Ashley Chesters, Scottish golfer Euan Walker, Finnish contender Tapio Pulkkanen, and Joshua Grenville-Wood from the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, 56 Indian players are determined to make their mark, with notable contenders such as S.S.P. Chawrasia and Gaganjeet Bhullar, who boast multiple titles on the DP World Tour, and Om Prakash Chouhan, a previous winner on the Challenge Tour.

Also in the mix are French player Alexander Levy, Spanish golfer Alejandro Cañizares, and Indian veteran Arjun Atwal, who made history as the first Indian player to win on the PGA Tour at the Wyndham Championship in 2010. Atwal’s illustrious career includes victories on the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour.

Among the Italian participants, Zemmer showcased a strong performance at the Delhi Challenge, finishing 12th, while Bovari secured a 53rd place. However, all four players are still seeking consistent form, with fluctuating performances. The total prize purse for the tournament is $300,000 (approximately €275,000). Aron Zemmer, Pietro Bovari, Gregorio De Leo and Luca Cianchetti will be competing at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.