New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS): The Hero Indian Open will be held at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) course in Bangalore for the first time in the tournament's 48-year history.

The Indian Golf Union (IGU), Nimbus Sport and Asian Tour Tuesday announced that the 49th edition of the event will be staged Oct 18-21 with a prize purse of $1.25 million.

India's National Open, in almost five decades, was so far held in New Delhi and Kolkata. With the event now moving to Bangalore, more fans from across the country will be able to watch top quality golf.

IGU president Manjit Singh said: "The Indian Open has been the pride of Indian golf for 48 years on the trot. Starting from 1964, the IGU has ensured that the tournament is conducted in all its glory.

"The IGU Council had proposed that the Open should go to different venues around the country. We are delighted that all stakeholders, especially the title sponsor, Hero Moto Corp Ltd and the promoter supported this cause."

Since its inauguration in 1964, the Indian Open has discovered many of the country's finest talents including the likes of Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar.

The Indian Open has also attracted a stellar field of international players in the past like Edoardo Molinari, David Gleeson, Paul McGinley, Rikard Karlberg, Daniel Chopra, Mark Brown and Darren Beck.