Shiv Kapur (Ind)

(About how his daughter has changed his life) Everything used to revolve around my golf schedule. Now my life revolves around my daughter’s schedule. I have to leave before sunrise and I have to get home before she takes her second nap so my live really has changed.

I missed the cut the last two years so I will obviously be doing things differently. Tee to green I’ve played it well the past two years it just hasn’t been able to do well on the greens. This year the greens are playing quite different so my focus this time around is to try and focus more on the greens, the more you play this course you just learn where to miss it. It’s the kind of golf course where you can get quite defensive just knowing there is trouble everywhere and you have to confront it. Visually it’s a very intimidating golf course but the actual landing area is quite generous.

Winning this would be the biggest win of my career. If and when it happens. The Asian Games I have always said was the biggest win of my career even though I have had wins on the Asian Tour since then. But to win a National Open is huge, I have been dreaming of it since I was a little kid. I walked inside the ropes scoring for Arjun and Jeev and dreaming one day that I’ll be that kid one day in their position.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha)

My form has been really good but I just want to make the cut this year. I need to hit it better than last year if I want to do well. Different plan different year, this time around I just need to stick to fairways and greens and not break off that good momentum I am enjoying.

Mentally I am so much more confident. Last year I ended on such good note and I was just able to ride on the good momentum. I also had a new coach last year after not having someone look at my swing for so long so that helped a lot too. I am hitting it well and this year just feels different so I am looking forward to a good week ahead.

Bernd Wiesberger (Aut)

Just arrived yesterday. I haven’t been to India for five or six years so it’s nice to be back and I am looking forward to coming to a golf course that has been described as somewhat challenging, and something different to what we see on a regular basic.

I have been out there for nine holes this afternoon and it’s quite spectacular. I was here the last time when it was the old design, so incredible what has been achieved here – an amazing course in great condition – so looking forward to a strong test of golf here in India.

I have only seen the course on TV. I was aware of a few of the features one but other than that I didn’t know much, but as Aaron said, it is a fair course and it’s going to demand good shot making. You have got to say it is one of the best conditioned courses we will play on all year, so you just need to take those chances when they present themselves and get yourself through the harder holes.

Unfortunately, I was out from May until November and that was quite a tough break for me not having any golf to play over summer with the injury in my left wrist. I still feel the effects of it a little bit, but I’m not where I want to be, so my results have not been anywhere to what I expect of myself but at the same time I am kind of taking it easy, week by week, and taking the positives out of every round. I am quite happy with the progress in most parts of the game as I have had to restart in a lot of parts of the game, but I am really looking forward to hopefully improving even more in Delhi.

Brandon Stone (Rsa)

It’s my first time coming to India and so far, spectacular. I took my first tuk tuk ride yesterday which was a lot of fun, and my first time looking at the course today. Mr. Player has come up again with another very unique design.

My first look at the 17th hole and I wasn’t disappointed, alternative design so let’s say that, the course is in spectacular condition, so I think it’s going to be a very fun week. There is a strong field here this week, a lot of local talent, and I am sure they are going to be vying to get their name on the Hero India Open trophy.

I don’t think there is going to be a dull moment out there. I think the highlight passages from the week are going to be a lot different to the other weeks we have around the world. It’s definitely not a boring golf course by any means. Every par four is not 500 yards, super long and you just get up and bomb driver. The condition of the golf course is spectacular – ten out of ten – the ground staff have done an incredible job here and Mr Player is notorious for designing golf courses that test every facet of your game and this one is no different.

I remember watching the event last year and watching the shot that Matt Wallace hit on 18 to win and didn’t really think it was that good until I walked down the 18th fairway today and realised that was actually top class. I’m excited to be here for the event and hoping to put up a stern fight for the championship come Sunday.

I’ve had results on both the up and the down. I feel like my game is starting to turn to the best again, but the game of golf is so unpredictable that you never know. I could stand up on the first tee on Thursday and you could have that week where everything comes together and the game seems effortless, and you end up winning by six or seven shots, you just don’t know. There is obviously going to be a lot of competition this week putting their hands up for the trophy, so you have to prepare as best you can from Monday to Wednesday and see what happens coming into the weekend.

On Saturday I will most certainly be there. It has been on my bucket list the last few years, ever since the IPL came to South Africa, so to actually go to a game in India where I have a couple of mates that play for the Delhi Capitals, so I am quite envious I won’t be at the game tonight but at the same time we are going to be making a lot of friendships with the team at Hero tonight in getting this event underway.

Aaron Rai (Eng)

It is in incredible shape and is probably my favourite course in the world. It is very scenic to walk around, but more importantly it is a great course, a great test, so you have to be on.

It would be incredible. My grandparents from both my mum and dad’s side where born in India, so back home as well I family have Indian heritage, so to even compete in India is a blessing, so if it was to happen and go one step further that would be a privilege, especially around a course like this where you need to be on your mental, and physical game, so a long way to go but if that did happen it would be incredible and a dream come true.

It is in great shape. Probably Jack Singh Brar is the most prominent player, only 21 or 22 years of age, and had an incredible year on the Challenge Tour winning and was very consistent, and to do that in his first full season as a professional is very impressive so he is definitely one to watch out for.

Ends.