The rise of Indian golf mirrors the growing strength of the Asian Tour where like the region's established circuit, the nation is no longer regarded as the sleeping giant. From the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal to Gagan jeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri, India's fortunes has sparkled through numerous achievements victories across Asia.

India holds the proud record of having produced the most number of Asian Tour Order of Merit champions, through Singh in 2006 and 2008, Atwal in 2003 and Jyoti Randhawa, the country's first Asian number one in 2002. In between those proud moments for Indian golf, others have launched their careers by securing the big ‘W' next to their names. Gaurav Ghei, Feroz Ali, Shiv Kapur, S.S.P. Chowrasia, C. Muniyappa and Bhullar have all added their names onto the Asian Tour's Roll of Honour with life-changing victories.

With new tournaments emerging on the Asian Tour Schedule including next week's US$2.1 million Avantha Masters, the future looks bright for India.

Golf tournaments in India tend to have a touch of a feel-good factor more often than not, thanks to the number of caddy-turned-pros that are produced through the national tours and go on to make a name (and a decent living) for themselves. The 2009 Indian Open had a dash of it, too, after Chinnaswamy Muniyappa's playoff victory at the DLF Golf and Country Club saw him pocket nearly $200,000. A massive pay-day for the guy who as a kid would be thrilled after earning Re 1 caddying for the members at the KGA golf course in Bangalore.

What is undoubtedly remarkable is the manner in which Muniyappa handled the pressure. Not only is he just in his debut season on the Asian Tour, Muniya