New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) - The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) has set the stage for its debut tour starting September 10, drawing parallels with the transformative Indian Premier League in cricket, according to its co-owner and brand ambassador Yuvraj Singh.
Organized in collaboration with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI), the IGPL will feature a 10-event calendar, launched with its first tournament at the Chandigarh Golf Club from September 10 to 12.
Each tournament will span three days without cuts, allowing a blend of emerging and seasoned golfers, along with women professionals and amateurs to compete.
The inaugural tour will host 54 participants, comprising 48 professionals—36 men and 12 women—and a selection of amateurs.
"I'm thrilled to be part of the IGPL because I believe golf deserves a bigger footprint in our country. It should integrate into our culture. IGPL offers an avenue for golfers to perform fearlessly and aspire to be the world's best," stated former cricket all-rounder Yuvraj Singh at a press conference.
He expressed regret at not taking up golf earlier: "During my cricketing career, I often thought that playing more matches could have elevated my game. However, upon embracing golf, I realized missing out on starting young was perhaps my biggest oversight."
Yuvraj elaborated on the unique challenges golfers face compared to cricketers. "Life on tour for a golfer can be demanding as they shoulder all expenses personally. In cricket, the Indian Board (BCCI) handles such logistics. IGPL's structure helps eliminate these concerns for emerging talent, fostering grassroots development."
Yuvraj expressed hope that IGPL would ignite a similar revolution in golf as the IPL did for cricket. "A change in golf's momentum through IGPL would be remarkable,” he commented.
The IGPL has also partnered with the Asian Tour, offering special opportunities for top performers. According to Cho Minn Thant, Tour Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, the top four on the IGPL's Order of Merit will gain entry into the final stage of the qualifying school. Additionally, the leading IGPL player, not otherwise exempt, will receive an invite to an Asian Tour OQS event, with a chance to qualify for the British Open by securing a top-three finish there.
Looking ahead, Yuvraj hopes IGPL will pave the way for Indian golfers to clinch Olympic medals. "This innovative tour is poised for faster-paced competition open to both men and women. My hope is that it propels Indian golfers to higher echelons of the sport, globally and in prestigious competitions like the Olympics."
The launch event was graced by notable golfers such as SSP Chawrasia and Shiv Kapur, alongside IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundy, WGAI Secretary-General Champika Sayal, and PGAI President Romit Bose.
Key Players: Gaganjeet Bhullar, Gaurav Ghei, Aalap I L, M Dharma, Digraj Singh Gill, Harshjeet Singh Sethie, Kapil Kumar, Karandeep Singh Kochhar, Kartik Singh, Samarth Dwivedi, Raghav Chugh, Veer Ganapathy, Aadil Bedi, Shaurya Binu, Naman Dawar, Pukhraj Singh Gill, Shat Mishra, Sudhir Sharma, Trishul Chinnappa, Tushar Pannu, Saarthak Chhibber, Harendra Gupta, Milind Soni, C Muniyappa, Yashas Chandra MS, Syed Saqib Ahmed, Aryan Roopa Anand, Kartik Sharma, Aman Raj, Sachin Baisoya, Jaibir Singh, Ranjit Singh, Chiragh Kumar.
IGPL Tour 2025 Schedule:
Chandigarh: Sep 10 - Sep 12, Chandigarh Golf Club
Greater Noida: Sep 17 - Sep 19, Jaypee Greens Golf Course
Pune: Oct 1 - Oct 3, The Poona Club Ltd. Golf Course
Hyderabad: Oct 24 - Oct 26, Golf Course (TBA)
Kolkata: Oct 29 - Oct 31, Tollygunge Club
Jamshedpur: Nov 5 - Nov 7, Beldih Golf Course
Mumbai: Nov 18 - Nov 20, Bombay Presidency Golf Club
IGPL & Asian Tour Joint Sanctioned: Nov 27 - Nov 30, Kensville Golf Resort
Ahmedabad: Dec 2 - Dec 4, Golf Course (TBA)
UAE: Dec 8 - Dec 11, Golf Course (TBA)
Sri Lanka: Dec 23 - Dec 25, Royal Colombo Golf Club.
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