India's Golf Scene Booms with Global Events, but Homegrown Talent Struggles to Shine

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New Delhi: India has never been more prominent on the global golf stage, thanks to high-profile events like the $2 million International Series in Gurugram and the $4 million DP World India Championships at the Delhi Golf Club. However, despite these major tournaments, Indian golfers have yet to make a mark, with no domestic winner in any of the events. The current crop of Indian golfers is facing a reality check after the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, and Jyoti Randhawa dominated the sport in the past. Indian pros are consistently failing to deliver at major events, with the last win by an Indian man on the European Tour dating back to 2018 and the last win on the Asian Tour in 2023. Several Indian golfers have had opportunities to compete on the European Tour, but results have been disappointing. Shubhankar Sharma, who has been a constant presence on the DP World Tour for nearly a decade, had a disastrous year in 2025, missing 22 cuts in 29 tournaments. Young golfer Yuvraj Sandhu, who won seven titles on the PGTI Tour, is set to join Sharma in Europe and is optimistic about his chances. The Asian Tour has also seen a decline in Indian representation, with only four golfers securing full cards in 2025. Industry experts attribute this to a lack of a robust feeder tour for growth. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has responded by announcing its own league, which it hopes will attract fresh sponsorship and provide opportunities for emerging players. PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl emphasized the importance of quality competition and exposure for Indian golfers, stating that the tour is working to secure more invitations on the European Tour's development tour and attract international players to compete on the PGTI Tour. Indian golfer Yuvraj Sandhu highlighted the financial constraints faced by professional golfers, citing the need for corporate support to help players compete at the highest level. The PGTI Tour has made significant strides in recent years, with increased prize money and a growing presence of international events. However, the onus remains on Indian golfers to deliver results and prove their mettle on the global stage.