'Race To India Championship' To Reshape PGTI Season, Boost Pathway To DP World Tour

Race to India Championship to reshape PGTI season, boost pathway to DP World Tour (Image Source: IANS)

Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has introduced a new season-long race that will determine the leading performers of the 2026 campaign and add greater significance to the India Championship, with the season finale set to decide the Order of Merit champion for the first time.

The ‘Race to DP World India Championship’, announced jointly by the PGTI and DP World on Monday, will culminate at the $4 million India Championship at Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18.

Under the revamped structure, the PGTI Order of Merit champion will be crowned only after the season-ending championship, rather than at the conclusion of the tour’s final event before the year-end break. The change is aimed at making the Delhi tournament a decisive part of the season while bringing the domestic circuit closer in line with the international calendar.

The race will comprise nine tournaments offering a combined prize purse of Rs 10 crore. Three events — the J&K Open, Coal India Open and Kolar Open — have already been completed, with the remaining six tournaments scheduled between August 25 and October 3.

The race will conclude with the inaugural Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida from September 30 to October 3.

The event will also determine two key milestones for the players. The top 24 on the Race standings after the Greater Noida tournament will qualify for the season-ending championship, while the top 60 in the PGTI Order of Merit will retain their playing rights for the 2027 season.

The Order of Merit champion will be formally crowned during the prize presentation at Delhi Golf Club after the championship.

The revised structure also brings forward the conclusion of the PGTI season to October, replacing the previous calendar that extended into December. Officials believe the closer alignment with the DP World Tour calendar could provide a more seamless transition for the domestic circuit’s leading players.

The change is particularly significant for the Order of Merit champion, who will gain exempt status on the DP World Tour. With the two calendars now more closely synchronised, the leading Indian player could potentially take advantage of international playing opportunities soon after earning the exemption.

Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager Subcontinent (India), DP World, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the pathway for Indian golfers to compete internationally.

“At DP World, we are committed to strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem and creating meaningful pathways for homegrown talent to compete on the global stage. The Race to the DP World India Championship, in partnership with DP World PGTI, reflects that ambition by giving India’s leading golfers the opportunity to earn their place alongside some of the world’s best. India is one of DP World’s most important markets, and we are proud to play a role in growing the game and supporting the next generation of sporting talent. We look forward to welcoming India’s finest golfers to Delhi Golf Club this October for the DP World India Championship, where they will have the opportunity to test themselves against a world-class field.”

Kapil Dev, president of the PGTI, said the new format would add another layer of competition to the domestic season while improving the route for Indian players to move onto the global stage.

“The Race to DP World India Championship is a great initiative and reflects our shared vision with DP World of strengthening the pathway from Indian golf to the global stage. The Race introduces a fascinating season-long contest which will reward consistency, raise the competitive standard throughout the season and further enhance the significance of the DP World India Championship. Aligning our season with the DP World Tour creates greater opportunities for our leading players to make an immediate impact internationally. I wish the players all the best for the Race to DP World India Championship.”

The remaining tournaments in the race will begin with the Telangana Open at Vooty Golf County in Vikarabad from August 25 to 28, followed by the Golconda Masters in Hyderabad from September 1 to 4 and the Chennai Open from September 8 to 11.

The Nava Raipur Open will follow from September 15 to 18 before the Bengaluru Open from September 22 to 25 brings the tour closer to the concluding event in Greater Noida.

The Golconda Masters will be staged for the 12th time, while the Chennai Open and Bengaluru Open will return for their fifth editions. The Nava Raipur Open and Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship are new additions to the schedule.

The Nava Raipur Open will follow from September 15 to 18 before the Bengaluru Open from September 22 to 25 brings the tour closer to the concluding event in Greater Noida.

The conclusion of the Delhi championship will immediately usher in the next PGTI season and the 2027 edition of the Race to India Championship.

Article Source: IANS