'It will be interesting how Indian Masters shapes up'

Dubai: Dubai-based professional golfer Ross Bain has not spoken to too many of his fellow golfers about the newly announced Indian Masters tournament, which is set to form part of the European Tour next season.

But the new global ambassador for 'golf in DUBAI' (the company organising and promoting the event) is intrigued to see just how the controversial tournament pans out.

"As yet, we don't know exactly what the field is going to be made up of and how many players from Asia or India or Europe will be playing, but it will be interesting to see how it all pans out," Bain told Gulf News in between practice sessions at the Arabian Ranches golf club yesterday.

The announcement of the new tournament has caused some controversy in recent weeks as the Asian Tour claimed they had not been consulted by the European Tour prior to the $2.5 million (Dh9.19 million) competition's launch.

"I think I am going to sit on the bench and watch to see what happens, to be honest. But it's a big tournament and a first for India so in that regard. it's obviously a benchmark tournament for them," said Bain.

"I know it's going to be the biggest event that's ever been there which is obviously great for Indian golf. It will be interesting to see how the tournament takes shape in the end."

Just the beginning

Asked what his fellow golfers' thoughts were on the matter, Bain explained: "It has just come on the scene and hasn't been discussed in great detail by the guys on the Asian Tour. The Tour takes a break in the summer for a couple of months, so when we go back in August, it will be interesting to see what the guys' views are.

Meanwhile, Bain has plenty of training ahead of him as he prepares to take part in his first British Open next month in the country of his birth - Scotland.

Although he has lived in the UAE for 24 years, Bain is relishing the prospect of returning to Scotland to take on the Carnoustie course.

"This will be my first major and I'm quietly confident I can play very well so I am really looking forward to it," he said.