NEW DELHI – India 's largest steel maker Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has announced its commitment to supporting Asian and Indian golf for the third successive year by holding the SAIL Open at the Delhi Golf Club from March 30 to April 2, this year.

The tournament's pro-am event will be held on April 3.

The US$300,000 (RM990,000) event, which is also sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will further boost the 2010 Asian Tour Schedule which already includes new tournaments such as the recent Avantha Masters in India, Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei and the Myanmar Open, making its comeback after a four-year lapse.

"We are delighted to announce our continued support of professional golf in India and Asia through our title sponsorship of the SAIL Open," said SAIL Chairman S.K. Roongta.

"In the two years which we have supported the tournament, we have been privileged to witness world-class golf in India . We believe that SAIL Open will contribute to further development of the sport in India and the Asian Tour."

In the inaugural event in 2008, New Zealand 's Mark Brown enjoyed an emotional maiden Asian Tour victory at the Jaypee Greens as he remembered his late father.

Then last year, Thailand 's Chapchai Nirat produced a magical week of golf at the Classic Golf Resort to win the tournament with a world scoring record of 32-under-par 256 winning score.

Sponsorship vital

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his fullest appreciation to SAIL for its commitment to the game. "Professional golf is reliant on sponsorship and we are delighted and honoured that SAIL continues to back the game at the highest level in Asia ," said Han.

"The return of the SAIL Open is tremendous as golf in India has grown immensely over the years through the success of players like Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal, Amandeep Johl, SSP Chowrasia and Gaurav Ghei on the Asian Tour.

"These are truly exciting times for golf in India as so many talented young players like Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahir, Shiv Kapur and Himmat Rai are excelling on the Asian Tour and the staging of the third SAIL Open will give them further opportunities to showcase their talents."

Padamjit Singh Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said: "We are honoured to welcome back the SAIL Open 2010. Despite its brief history, the SAIL Open has matured in stature on the Asian Tour and has helped create a great platform for Indian players to compete with a strong Asian Tour player field, and move on to higher tours."

"The PGTI is indeed thankful to SAIL for title sponsoring this wonderful tournament and we look forward to another very successful SAIL Open in 2010.

Delhi Golf Club captain Mr. Sanjiv Talwar said: "We are excited that the SAIL Open will be played for the first time at our golf course. Delhi Golf Club has successfully staged great events on the Asian Tour in the past and we look forward to welcoming the top players from across the region and India ."