Italy's Edoardo Molinari, ranked 53 in the world, will be the prize-catch of the $1.25 million Hero Indian Open golf championship that opens that Delhi Golf Club course here on October 13. Molinari, winner of last year's Johnnie Walker championship at Gleneagles and the Barclays Scottish Open, reached a career-high world ranking of 14 following these two triumphs on the European Tour. In fact, Molinari was also part of the victorious 2010 European Team at Celtic Manor.

Though the clarity on the field will be known in the coming days, Asian Tour leader S.S.P. Chowrasia, a two-time runner-up, will head the list of competitors. Defending champion Swede Rikard Karlberg, too, will be back in the fray for the $198,125 as winner's share. Though Jeev Milkha Singh has registered for the event, his availability will be known only next month.

Though there is no increase in the prize-fund, Hero is back as the title-sponsor. Formerly known as Hero Honda, the company has signed a three-year agreement with the Indian Golf Union to sponsor its flagship event which is in its 48th year. The event will be shown live on ESPN Star on all four days beginning from October 13.