Professional Golf Tour of India Kicks Off 2026 Season with Record Prize Money

The Professional Golf Tour of India has kicked off its 2026 season with an impressive lineup of 12 events and a total prize purse of ₹14 crore. This season promises to enhance the competitive landscape of golf in India through increased prize money, innovative formats, and wider international participation. Key partnerships and the introduction of India's first franchise-based professional golf league further highlight the tour's commitment to growth. With tournaments scheduled across major cities, the PGTI aims to elevate the standard of competition and provide greater opportunities for emerging professionals. Read on to learn more about the exciting developments in Indian golf.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 02:15 IST

Exciting Start to the 2026 Golf Season

The 2026 season of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has commenced with a remarkable lineup, featuring 12 events and a total prize pool of ₹14 crore, excluding the Indian Open. This season marks a significant enhancement in terms of scale, prize money, and innovative formats, alongside increased international participation and new corporate partnerships.

In the initial half of the season, three tournaments offered prize purses of ₹1.5 crore and ₹1 crore, while two major events featured prize pools of approximately $300,000 (around ₹2.76 crore), making them some of the highest on the domestic circuit, as stated in a press release.

This year, DP World has taken on the role of Title and Umbrella Partner for PGTI, with Axis Bank joining as the Official Banking Partner. PGTI has been proactive in promoting golf across India by hosting tournaments in various cities including Nava Raipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Gurugram, Visakhapatnam, and Hyderabad.

Notable events this season include the SECL Chhattisgarh Open, the DP World Players Championship in Kolkata, the Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship, and the PGTI Open, which is co-sanctioned with the Hotel Planner Tour.

The April schedule added more excitement with three ₹1 crore events: the Andhra Open Golf Championship 2026 at East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam, the Boulders Classic at Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club in Hyderabad, and the DP World Players Championship at Classic Golf & Country Club in Gurugram, Haryana.

PGTI has also enhanced its professional golf development pathway through NexGen events, providing competitive opportunities for emerging professionals in locations such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Phillaur, and Patna.

The packed calendar and increased prize money are anticipated to bolster competitive depth, enhance earning potential, and elevate India's status in the global golf arena.

The tour has also engaged with public stakeholders to discuss golf's role in promoting tourism, regional development, and sports infrastructure. Additionally, the season saw the introduction of '72 – The League,' India's inaugural franchise-based professional golf league, which features a team format.

Overall, the growth in events, sponsorship, prize money, and player pathways indicates a robust expansion of the professional golf landscape in India.

Kapil Dev, President of PGTI, emphasized that the increase in tournaments and prize money is creating more opportunities for Indian professionals and elevating the competitive standard.

PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl stated that the tour is committed to developing a more competitive platform with enhanced international integration and better earning prospects for players.