As a tournament on the Asian Tour played in India, and the second longest running national golf championship after Indian Open, SAIL Open was started in year 2008. In its sixth consecutive year in 2013, SAIL partnered with SBI to put forth the US$300,000 SAIL-SBI Open presented by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism. Anirban Lahiri, who won the SAIL Open in 2012, clinched the title yet again this year. A cheque of $54,000 was presented to the winner by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia on March 9, 2013. Runner-up Rashid Khan was presented a cheque of $33,000 at the award ceremony.
The main tournament of SAIL-SBI Open was held from 6 to 9 March, 2013 at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC). The championship attracted nearly 150 professionals from 25 different countries, 50 of who have already been tournament winners. Nearly 90 foreign nationals participated in the event. The Pro-Am event, held on March 10, brought together 180 amateurs and 60 professionals for the game. Runner-up Rashid Khan, all of 22, gave a tough competition to Anirban Lahiri. The two were tied at 15-under after Lahiri nailed a 10-footer to get into a play-off. Then Lahiri landed a birdie on the 18th and beat Rashid. Another player who stood in the tournament was Siddikur of Bangladesh, who closed with a 73 to finish third, four shots behind the play off duo, while Shiv Kapur of India settled for fourth place after a 70. Thailand's Pawin Ingkhapradit and Australian rookie Matthew Stieger ended in tied fifth place. Players like Shiv Kapur, Khalin Joshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Shankar Das and Vinod Kumar substantiated the growing promise of Indian Golf.
Photo caption:
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia presenting the trophy and cheque to Anirban Lahiri, winner of SAIL-SBI Open 2013 presented by Incredible India. SAIL Executive Director Ms Arti Luniya can also be seen in the picture.