Professional Golf Tour of India Kicks Off 2026 Season with Record Prize Money and Events
Exciting Start to the 2026 Golf Season
The 2026 season of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has commenced with an impressive lineup, featuring 12 events and a total prize pool of ₹14 crore. This figure excludes the Indian Open and includes the PGTI NexGen events, showcasing significant advancements in prize money, event formats, and international participation.
Increased Prize Money and Major Tournaments
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), marking some of the highest amounts in the domestic golf scene.
Strategic Collaborations and Nationwide Reach
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 is committed to promoting golf across India, organizing tournaments in cities such as Nava Raipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Gurugram, Visakhapatnam, and Hyderabad.
Notable events 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 depth 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.
Nurturing Future Golf Talent with NexGen Events
PGTI is enhancing its professional golf development through NexGen events, providing competitive opportunities for emerging golfers in locations such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Phillaur, a historic town in Punjab, and Patna.
Innovative Growth and Ecosystem Development
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 introduced '72 - The League,' India's inaugural franchise-based professional golf league, which features a team format.
Overall, the rise in events, sponsorship, prize money, player earnings, and developmental events indicates a robust expansion of the professional golf ecosystem in India.
Insights from Leadership
Kapil Dev, President of PGTI, remarked that the increase in tournaments and prize money is generating more opportunities for Indian professionals and enhancing the competitive landscape.
PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl emphasized the tour's commitment to creating a deeper, more competitive platform with enhanced international integration and better earning prospects for players.