Chowrasia, fondly known as SSP, made his name when he triumphed at the inaugural Emaar-MGF Indian Masters earlier this year, heading a high class field which included new stablemates Ernie Els and Darren Clarke. The victory saw him become just the third Indian golfer to win on the European tour, following Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh.

SSP began his golfing career at the age of 10, practising at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club where his father worked as a greenkeeper. He won 9 times on the Indian Golf Tour, before joining the Asian Tour in 2006.

SSP’s Indian Masters win earned him exemption on the European Tour until the end of 2010, so he will play a combination of Asian Tour and European Tour events and aim to improve his world ranking this year.