Golf: Michael Campbell is top buy at auction

Published on 21/01/2013 01:38

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell was the hottest property in an auction for the inaugural Golf Premier League near Mumbai next month.

The New Zealander was bought for $61,000 by Shubhkamna Eagles at the auction, while two-times major winner Angel Cabrera went to Maharashtra 59ers and 2011 Open winner, Darren Clarke, was picked by Uttarakhand Lions, both for $55,000.

Scheduled to take place from 8-10 February at a course near Mumbai, the league, with total prize money of $400,000, will feature two day-night rounds of strokeplay, followed by a final round of the best-ball format.

Touted in India as golf’s answer to Twenty20 cricket, each round will be played over 14 holes instead of 18.

“For me it is the slow and steady build-up to the dream that I have had for a franchise-based event in golf,” said Indian golfer Shiv Kapur. “The launch and auction have set the stage. Now it is for us, the players, to add to the show.”

The franchises bought three players each, with Kapur drawing the highest fee among the Indian golfers. Gaganjeet Bhullar, a four-times winner on the Asian Tour, fetched $58,000 from Punjab Lancers, who have also secured the services of Asia No 1 Thaworn 
Wiratchant. Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene is the promoter of the Colombo-based franchise.