Historic Golf Tournament Set to Debut in Varanasi
Professional Golf Tour of India Comes to Varanasi
The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is set to host its inaugural event in the culturally rich city of Varanasi. This sixth event of the NexGen season will take place at the BLW Greens golf course from June 16 to June 18.
Tournament Structure and Notable Participants
This first-ever PGTI tournament in Varanasi boasts a prize pool of ₹25 lakh. The competition will unfold over three rounds (54 holes), with a cut after the first two rounds (36 holes). The top 36 players and ties will advance to the final round, featuring a total of 72 competitors. Key players include Sunit Chowrasia, the current leader of the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit, along with Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Bipin Mukhiya, Abhishek Kumar, Aditya Raj Singh Chahal, and Vinay Kumar Yadav. Notably, 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir will also participate, alongside local talents Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav.
Incentives for Emerging Golfers
The winner of this year's NexGen Order of Merit will receive an exemption to compete on the main DP World PGTI tour for the 2026 season.
Promoting Golf in Historic Locations
Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI, expressed pride in bringing a NexGen event to Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized the commitment to expanding professional golf beyond traditional hubs and into the heart of India. Johl noted that Varanasi's rich cultural heritage and enthusiastic golfing community make it an ideal venue, aiming to inspire local youth to engage with the sport.
Anurag Gupta, Honourable Secretary of BLW Greens, shared his excitement about hosting the first DP World PGTI NexGen event at their club. He highlighted the significance of this tournament for Varanasi's golfing scene, providing local enthusiasts and young players a chance to experience high-level professional golf.
Pro-Am Event Highlights
The Pro-Am event took place on Sunday, where the winning team comprised professional golfer Pankaj Maandiya and amateurs Manoj Manjhi, Ritesh Singh, and Amit Verma. They received their awards from Anurag Gupta.
Overview of the NexGen Tour
Launched in 2025, the NexGen Tour by DP World PGTI aims to provide equal opportunities for all professional golfers in India, enhancing the competitive landscape of Indian golf. The tour also seeks to promote the sport in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, broadening its reach across the nation.