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Gurgaon, February 23: Defending champion Phatlum Pornanong of Thailand and India's best-known women's professional golfer, Smriti Mehra will lead the challenge in the third edition of the DLF Women's Indian Open 2009 beginning on Wednesday.

Despite the fact that the global economy is reeling under a meltdown, DLF remained steadfast in its commitment to promote Indian women's golf. This was conformed at a player's press conference staged by the real estate giants, as a pre-cursor to the DLF Women's Indian Open 2009, scheduled to be played at the DLF Golf & Country Club from 25 – 27 February, 2009. The tournament will kick-start with the pro-am on 24 February.

"I am delighted to be back to compete at the DLF Women's Indian Open," said defending champion Phatlum Pornanong. "This golf course brings back very pleasant memories and in many ways I came of age as a golfer here," added the petite Thai golfer.

Smriti was the first ever Indian to qualify for the prestigious Ladies PGA Tour way back in 1998, is back from a major surgery. "I am keenly looking forward to competing at the DLF Women's Indian Open," said Smriti. "I won't be able to rest in peace after I retire if I don't win the Indian Open. A win at her National Open is one that any golfer would want under her belt and I am going for nothing short of gold this time," she added.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce the third edition of the DLF Women's Indian Open," said Mr. Koichi Kato, Chief Commissioner, LAGT. "India's first and only LAGT event has attracted terrific response and interest in the Asian golfing community consistently for the past two years and this year is no exception. The DLF Women's Indian Open has in a very short span of time become one of the most popular and sought after events in these parts. I am confident this year's tournament will also be a fantastic success," he added.

"I am very grateful to the sponsors for keeping faith in our game and backing us in these tough times. And I am also happy that we once again have the defending champion Phatlum in the field. This frail looking champion will go a long way in her career. We also expect great things from India's star challengers Simi Mehra and young Tanya Wadhwa, who I have named 'Golf Doll', and who has great potential," said Mrs. Champika Syal, Secretary-General of the WGAI.

Leading golfers from Asia and Europe along with the crème of India's women professional golfers will be seen in action at the DLF Women's Indian Open 2009, the third edition of India' only Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) event, which is also sanctioned by the Royal & Ancient (R&A), Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).

The tournament which offers USD 120,000 in prize purse will witness the winner getting to pocket USD 12,750, while the runner-up gets to take home USD 8,500. Each of the players teeing up will get a guarantee of $ 500.

The format of the event will witness the cut being applied after two days with the top 50 golfers plus ties making it to the final round on 27 February.