Kapil Dev Sends Best Wishes to Indian Golf Teams Ahead of Asian Games

Support for Indian Golfers at the Asian Games

New Delhi, September 28: Kapil Dev, the esteemed President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and a celebrated figure in Indian sports, has conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the men’s and women’s golf teams representing India at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

The Indian squad features Yuvraj Sandhu, Saptak Talwar, and Veer Ahlawat for the men's event, while Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar, and Pranavi Urs will compete in the women's category, as stated in a recent press release.

Kapil Dev expressed his pride in the golfers, stating that competing for India is a prestigious honor. He praised their dedication, discipline, and consistent performances, highlighting their talent and experience.

“Competing at the Asian Games is a significant honor. I wish Veer, Saptak, Yuvraj, Aditi, Diksha, and Pranavi the best as they gear up for this challenge in Japan. Their hard work and determination have led them to this moment. They have the skills and mindset to excel on this international platform,” he remarked.

Encouraging the athletes to approach the competition with confidence, Kapil added, “My advice is straightforward: trust yourselves, play boldly, and give your all. The honor of representing your country should motivate you to elevate your performance. Stay focused, rely on your training, and play each shot with pride. The entire Indian golfing community stands behind you. Compete fiercely and make India proud.”

Amandeep Johl, CEO of PGTI, commented, “Yuvraj, Veer, and Saptak have earned their spots through consistent performances and resilience. Their inclusion in the Indian team is a proud achievement for us and showcases the strength of our tour and the international opportunities provided by the DP World PGTI. All three have the experience and capability to challenge for medals. We wish them, along with Aditi, Diksha, and Pranavi, great success at the Asian Games.”

The trio of Indian men will be making their Asian Games debut, bringing with them a wealth of experience from international competitions.

Yuvraj Sandhu, a familiar face on the Asian Tour, has also participated in the DP World Tour this season after securing his card by winning the PGTI Order of Merit in 2025.

At 29, Yuvraj had a record-breaking year in 2025, becoming the first player to win seven titles in a single season and setting a new record for season earnings with INR 1,91,67,100 on the DP World PGTI. He has a total of 16 professional titles, including one international victory on the Asian Development Tour.

Yuvraj stated, “Having played in Japan last year, I have a good understanding of the golf courses there. We have thoroughly mapped out the course and its yardages. Competing on the DP World Tour has refined my skills, and I feel prepared for the challenge. Recent rains will likely make the course softer, and we anticipate favorable weather. I’m accustomed to playing in such conditions, having faced rain in four of the last eight weeks.”

Veer Ahlawat, 30, is also a regular on the Asian Tour and competed in the DP World Tour in 2025 after becoming the 2024 PGTI Order of Merit champion. He has six PGTI victories and was a joint runner-up at the Hero Indian Open in 2024.

Veer, who inspected the course in Japan last month, noted, “The course is relatively short, similar to those we play in India. The key challenge will be tuning our wedges and controlling spin. On shorter courses, precision off the tee is crucial, and often, you won’t need to use your driver. Course management will be essential to stay competitive.”

Saptak Talwar, currently leading the PGTI Order of Merit, has enhanced his game by balancing his schedule between the HotelPlanner Tour in Europe and the PGTI. At 27, Saptak has won twice on the PGTI.

Saptak remarked, “My goal was to improve my ranking and qualify, and I’m proud to have achieved that. The next target is to qualify for the LA Olympics. My experiences in Europe, which often involve rain and wind, will help us adapt to Japan’s expected weather conditions. Having faced challenging weather before is definitely an advantage.”

This six-member team exemplifies the growing strength and competitiveness of Indian golf. Their achievements on both domestic and international stages highlight the increasing depth of the sport in India and the country’s potential to produce world-class golfers.