“It feels amazing.” I feel like this is the first win of a new professional career,” Nakajima said when he won the 2024 Hero Indian Open, and his happiness was evident. This year’s tournament took off yesterday and fans are excited to see who will come out as a winner this time. The game is hosted at the 7,416-yard DLF Golf and Country Club where LIV Golf’s International Series took place back in January.
Defending champ Keita Nakajima looks to go back-to-back after his dominant 2024 win, while Marcel Siem, the 2023 titleholder, returns after missing last year’s event. Then, John Parry rides the momentum of an Opening Swing triumph, and Richard Mansell, fresh off a win in Singapore, is set to bring red-hot form to the field.
On his past success, Nakajima has said, “This is my first year playing on the DP World Tour and I’m very proud to have won on the DP World Tour and very honored to be playing here,” expressing his pride and honor. There’s a key part to this experience, and it all comes down to its amazing format.
The tournament is played over four thrilling rounds, with each round consisting of 18 holes. That’s a total of 72 holes, folks! The players will battle it out using the stroke play format, where the goal is simple: achieve the lowest total score by the end of the four rounds.
As the tournament heats up, the competition gets fiercer. But here’s the twist: after the second round, the field gets narrowed down. That’s right, a cut is made, and only the top 65 players (plus ties) get to advance to the third and fourth rounds. It’s a nail-biting moment for the players, and it’s what makes the Hero Indian Open so unpredictable and exciting!
Speaking of excitement, the tournament features a huge prize money as well. But how much exactly?
What’s at stake at the 2025 Hero Indian Open?
The DP World Tour’s Asian Swing is in full swing, and all eyes are on the Hero Indian Open, hosted at the prestigious DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi. Japanese sensation Keita Nakajima is back to defend his title, and with a prize fund of $2.25 million, the stakes are high. The winner will take home $382,500, while a top-four finish guarantees a minimum of $100,000.
But that’s not all – the field in New Delhi will also be competing for a share of 3,500 Race to Dubai points and 1,000 Ryder Cup points. The prize money payout is as follows: 2nd place earns $247,500, 3rd place takes home $141,750, 5th place secures $95,400, and 4th place wins $112,500. With so much on the line, the competition is sure to be fierce. Personally, I think Nakajima has a good chance of defending his title, given his impressive form last season. However, there are many talented golfers in the field, and it’s anyone’s game. Can Nakajima defend his title? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
The post Is There a Cut at the Hero Indian Open 2025? Format Explored appeared first on EssentiallySports.