Yuvraj Singh Co-Owns Indian Golf Premier League

Gurugram, Jul 15 (PTI) — Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has been named the co-owner and brand ambassador for the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), an innovative sports event set to launch with six teams next year. Designed to feature both male and female professional golfers, the city-based franchise league will unfold over four weeks in January-February, according to the organizers.

Manav Jaini, head of Bharat Golf Private Limited, outlined the plans, stating, "The league is a four-week golfing extravaganza with a franchise format. We are debuting with six franchises and adopting a home-and-away concept over the first three weeks, which will culminate in a grand finale.

The grand finale will not only highlight golf, but will also feature Yuvraj Singh at a special 'YUVICAN' event planned for that week," Jaini said. Yuvraj, though absent at the announcement event, expressed his enthusiasm through a press release.

Yuvraj commented, "Joining the IGPL team is greatly exciting as it allows me to promote this incredible sport in an innovative way. Despite golf's global popularity, it remains niche in India; a fast-paced format can potentially broaden its audience and popularity as a spectator sport.

"The league is also anticipated to cultivate Indian talent, offering developmental opportunities," Yuvraj added. The IGPL features renowned Indian golfers like Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Gaurav Ghei, Jyoti Randhawa, Jeev Milkha Singh, and SSP Chawrasia.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, a multiple Asian Tour winner, remarked, "The partnership with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) is significant; it offers young amateurs the chance to play alongside seasoned professionals. Meeting players like the promising Kartik Singh gives me confidence in the invaluable exposure and mentorship this league offers."

The league will draw from an approximate pool of 60 players, each team comprising 10 players, from IGPL professionals, the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) tour, and leading amateurs from the IGU. Within days of the announcement, over 30 golfers have committed to the tour and league events.

The IGPL's 10-week tour kicks off in September, with franchise announcements slated for October-November. Jaini stated, "We're focusing on major cities: Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai, dependent on franchise owners' site selections. An auction by the end of November will enable strategic team-building within a notional budget.

Jaini explained, "For three years, players will be under contract with us, included within franchise packages." The city golf tour will feature a no-cut, three-day stroke play format, while league matches adopt a dual-segment daily lineup: morning 'Turf Wars' (9-hole match play) and evening 'X-Golf' (relay format with designated drivers, fairway players, approach, and putters).

The league's strategic features, including the player auction and 10-week tour with guaranteed prize money and no-cut events, aim to support player growth. Despite no collaboration with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), IGPL aims to complement the existing platform, focusing on opportunities for young Indian talents.

Jaini assured "All players will be contracted through IGPL, with weekly open invitations for interested players. Although our collaboration with PGTI couldn't materialize, there’s hope for future partnerships."

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