India, March 26 -- The early afternoon temperature touched almost 40 degrees Celsius, yet it was warm-up time for the groups of players on Wednesday at the DLF Golf and Country Club course for this week's $2.25 million Hero Indian Open.

The Gary Player-designed course has left even top players frustrated, the rough and the difficulty of landing close to the pin due to the undulating greens. Indian fans, though, will hope it will be a home winner on Sunday.

An Indian has not won since 2017 - four editions have been held since through the Covid disruptions. SSP Chowrasia completed back-to-back wins that year when the national open was moved here. He is in the 138-player field on the sponsor's invitation. Veer Ahlawat came close last year,...