SSP Chawrasia at the 2019 Hero Indian Open, a tournament co-sanctioned by PGTI & European Tour
In perhaps the biggest development in Indian golf in 2022, The European DP World Tour and USPGA TOUR jointly announced a new partnership with the Professional Golf Tour of India (TATA Steel PGTI) in which PGTI’s top ranked player will earn membership into Europe in 2023.
The next highest ranked player in the top ten on the PGTI rankings will earn a spot in the Final Stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying , while a further three players will earn spots into the Second Stage.
This is a huge development for the PGTI tour, which has lost World Rankings points due to the new system, making it harder for Indian golfers to progress to the better tours.
Additionally, two US$ 300,000 Challenge Tour events on Mar. 23-26 & Mar. 28-31 will be held at Karnataka Golf Association in Bangalore, with around 60 spots reserved for PGTI players.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Our global pathway system enables players from different international Tours to compete on the DP World Tour, and we are delighted to extend that opportunity to players from the TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India. “We have already seen some terrific players from India establish themselves and win on our Tour, and this partnership will give many more the chance to follow in their footsteps, as well as potentially go on to play on the PGA TOUR too.
“We also look forward to working together with the PGTI and the PGA TOUR to continue to develop golf in India in the years ahead, helping the PGTI to provide a strong platform for golfers in the country.”
Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said, “It’s hard to believe over two decades have passed since Arjun Atwal made history as the first Indian golfer to win on both the European Tour and PGA TOUR. This partnership, which further builds on the additional playing opportunities in the men’s professional game, will help make similar dreams come true for many Indian golfers to come.”
Uttam Singh Mundy, Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Golf Tour of India, said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, the leading professional golf tours in the world. This new association is a watershed moment for the PGTI as it opens many doors for our professionals on the international stage and is a recognition of the growing stature of Indian professional golf and our tour.”
Credits:-
Photo – PGTI