PGTI's battle royale to tee off on December 26

Kolkata: Country's top 60 ranked golfers along with five other invitees will vie for top honours in the season-ending McLeod Russell Tour Championship at the RCGC course here from December 26-29.

The top 60 players in the Rolex Rankings will be determined after the season's 17th and last championship -- Tata Open from December 19-22 -- as the historic RCGC will set for the battle royale in the Year Ending Championship carrying a prize purse of Rs 1.35 crore, the highest ever in India.

As of now, the talented 22-year-old Rashid Khan lead the Rankings with an earning of Rs 27,32,309, followed by Mukesh Kumar (Rs 17,63,892) and Shamim Khan (15,60,003).

Besides the top 60 ranked golfers of the country PGTI will invite five others from which four -- SSP Chowrasia, Gaganjit Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri and Jyoti Randhwa -- have been confirmed their entries, PGTI director Uttam Singh Mundy said while announcing the tournament here today.

"The prize money will be increased to Rs 1.5 crore in the 2014 edition," he added.

This is for the second time RCGC is hosting the season finale in a contract of three-year term as next year the PGTI would decide the venue for the next three years.

Meanwhile the RCGC today hinted that they may bring back the prestigious Indian Open in 2015.

"It's held on a rotational basis as Delhi is set to host the golden jubilee 50th edition. We're looking to host sometime in 2015," general committee member of the RCGC, Gaurav Ghosh said.

Chowrasia shoots 66, moves to 16th in Manila

Chowrasia shoots 66, moves to 16th in Manila

Manila: India's SSP Chowrasia, who came rather close to ending his title drought last week, blazed through a brilliant back nine to card a six-under 66 and jump to tied 16th from overnight 61st at the midway stage of the USD 750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters here today.

Chowrasia, who lost his European Tour card this year, won last at the 2011 Avantha Masters.

"I am focusing on the Asian Tour for the coming year," said Chowrasia, who is now seven-under 137 after his phenomenol round today which included five birdies at the back nine.

Tied with him at tied 16th is Himmat Rai (68-69), who is also going through a struggle of late.

Digvijay Singh (70-68) in tied 25th, Jyoti Randhawa (72-69), Abhinav Lohan (68-73) and Sujjan Singh (72-69) at three-under 141 in tied 48th place were the others to make the cut.

Surprisingly Rahil Gangjee, lying tied 21st overnight after a round of 68, crashed out with a round of 79 that included two triple bogeys.

Overnight leader 17-year-old Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand remained in prime position of becoming the second youngest professional winner on the Asian Tour after he posted a three-under-par 69 to grab a share of the second round lead with Philippines' Angelo Que and Canada's Richard T Lee.

Thailand's Prom Meesawat signed for a flawless 67 to be bunched with Spanish rookie Carlos Pigem, England's Chris Rodgers and Malaysia's highest-ranked player Nicholas Fung in equal fourth place.