India’s Golf season gets new look as PGTI unveils race to championship

NEW DELHI: Indian professional golf is set for a major shake-up with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) unveiling the Race to India Championship, a season-long competition that will decide the 2026 Order of Merit champion while adding greater significance to the country's richest golf tournament.The new format aligns the domestic tour more closely with the international calendar and creates a clearer pathway for India's leading golfers to graduate onto the global circuit.Unlike previous seasons, the PGTI Order of Merit title will now be decided only after the India Championship, scheduled at Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18. The US$4 million event will serve as the decisive season finale rather than a standalone marquee tournament.The Race will comprise nine tournaments offering a combined prize purse of Rs 10 crore, taking the total prize money across the 2026 PGTI season to Rs 41 crore. The first three events - the J&K Open, Coal India Open and Kolar Open, have already been completed, with the Telangana Open beginning the next phase of the Race this week.The season-long contest will culminate with the inaugural Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, from September 30 to October 3.At the conclusion of that event, two key milestones will be confirmed: the top 24 players on the Race standings will qualify for the India Championship, while the top 60 on the PGTI Order of Merit will secure full playing rights for the 2027 season.PGTI President Kapil Dev believes the revamped structure will reward consistency throughout the season instead of placing emphasis on isolated performances.“This introduces a fascinating season-long contest that raises the competitive standard and further enhances the significance of the India Championship. Aligning our calendar with the international tour also gives our leading players a better opportunity to make an immediate impact internationally,” Kapil Dev said.Another significant change is the tour calendar itself. From 2026 onwards, the PGTI season will conclude in October instead of stretching into December, bringing it in sync with the international schedule. The synchronisation means the Indian Order of Merit champion can transition directly onto the international circuit after earning exempt status, maximising playing opportunities without a lengthy off-season.The nine tournaments in the inaugural Race include stops in Srinagar, Kolkata, Kolar, Vikarabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Nava Raipur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida. While the Golconda Masters returns for its 12th edition, the Chennai Open and Bengaluru Open continue their revival, and both the Nava Raipur Open and Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship make their debut on the professional circuit.The Race also adds fresh intrigue to the closing stretch of the domestic season, with every event carrying implications for qualification as well as the Order of Merit standings. Players will battle not only for tournament titles but also for coveted places in the elite 24-player field at the India Championship.Following the conclusion of the Delhi showpiece, the 2027 PGTI season will begin immediately, marking the start of the next Race and establishing October as the new turning point in Indian professional golf.As part of the season-ending celebrations, Delhi Golf Club will also host a Pro-Am a day after the championship, followed by the annual awards ceremony where the PGTI Order of Merit Champion and the Emerging Player of the Year will be honoured, bringing the curtain down on a season designed to redefine the road to golfing glory.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.