Bangalore, Oct 7 (IANS): Australian golfer David Gleeson hopes to turn the corner with a successful title defence at the $1.25 million Hero Indian Open to be held here from Oct 18 to 21.

Gleeson struggled with a stomach infection late last year resulting in an unusual string of 10 missed cuts from Nov 2011 into this year's Asian Tour season.

"My form fell off completely because I had a stomach infection which I couldn't get rid of for five months. It was a shame because I was playing well. I got so weak that I had to change my driver to try and get the ball going," said Gleeson, who is a three-time Asian Tour winner.

"But I've regained my health now and my game is slowly coming back and I'm getting the distances I want. That's the part of getting older and trying to be healthier and sustaining a Tour life."

Gleeson romped to a three-shot victory over Chiragh Kumar last year and is determined to find his winning groove again.

"It is always great to have the ball in your control. I was in a good frame of mind then and the ball went reasonably where I wanted it to go. It is always more motivation when you defend a title," added the 34-year-old.

Local boy Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Himmat Rai, S.S.P. Chowrasia and Jyoti Randhawa, all Asian Tour winners, will lead the Indian challenge at the Indian Open.

The event will move to the Karnataka Golf Association for the first time in the tournament's history.