With many of the top Europeans headed for the United States and next week’s big WGC-Match Play event (or playing this week at the Northern Trust Open), it’s a big of a watered-down field for this week’s European Tour event, the Avantha Masters in New Delhi, India.
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Defending tournament champion SSP Chowrasia, the only Indian to have won two European Tour titles in the last four years, is ready to add to that total and join Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal as the only Indians to have won three titles on European Tour, when the Avantha Masters tees up on Thursday.

The field also includes former major champions Todd Hamilton and John Daly, as well as former world No. 1 amateur Peter Uihlein.

Chowrasia, 33,  triumphed by one shot over England’s Robert Coles last year to claim his second European Tour title following his victory in the Indian Masters in 2008, when he became the first player to win on his debut appearance as an affiliate member.

Both victories came in the Indian capital New Delhi, the first at Delhi Golf Club and last season at DLF Golf and Country Club, and he returns to the latter to defend his title in a confident mood.

“I’ve been practicing hard and I’m feeling really good,” said Chowrasia. “I’ve done a bit of work on my swing over the off-season and it’s paying off. I’m feeling very confident about my game.”

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (+2600 to win on WagerWeb.com) is targeting a return to his best form at the Avantha Masters after recovering from injury. The 42 year old’s last victory came on the Asian Tour in 2010, but in 2011 he was plagued by back problems and the closest he came to victory was at the Indonesian Masters, where he was second behind Lee Westwood. He is now nearing full fitness, however.

“I had a back injury after the Avantha Masters last year and that didn’t help my season,” he said. “But I’m confident this year will be a better year compared to 2011. My fitness level is about 85 to 90% now as I’ve been putting in more hours in the gym and that has helped.”

The most recent European Tour winner in the field is Dutchman Joost Luiten, who having knocked on the door a few times towards the end of 2011, eventually picked up his first title at the Iskandar Johor Open. Luiten is the +1400 favorite this week at WagerWeb.com.

Also in the field is 2010 winner Andrew Dodt, who made the Avantha Masters his maiden title when he birdied two of the last three holes in the final round to edge out Englishman Richard Finch by a single stroke.

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