VARANASI SPORTS NEWS – DP World PGTI Makes Historic Debut in Varanasi, NexGen Event to Tee Off at BLW Greens from June 16

Khabarilaal News Desk :

Varanasi: The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) is set to make its historic debut in Varanasi with the sixth event of the 2026 NexGen season scheduled to be played at the prestigious BLW Greens Golf Course from June 16 to June 18, 2026.

This will be the first-ever DP World PGTI tournament hosted in Varanasi and carries a total prize purse of ₹25 lakh.

Tournament Format and Prize Purse

The championship will be contested over 54 holes across three rounds. A cut will be applied after the first two rounds (36 holes), with the top 36 players and ties advancing to the final round.

A total of 72 professional golfers will compete in the event.

Strong Field of Emerging Talent

The tournament features several leading players from the NexGen Tour, including:

• Sunit Chowrasia – 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit leader

• Rajesh Kumar Gautam

• Bipin Mukhiya

• Abhishek Kumar

• Aditya Raj Singh Chahal

• Vinay Kumar Yadav

• Arjunveer Shishir, the talented 15-year-old golfer

Varanasi’s local representation comes from Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav, who will be looking to impress on home turf.

Big Reward for NexGen Order of Merit Winner

The winner of the 2026 NexGen Order of Merit will earn a valuable exemption to compete on the main DP World PGTI Tour during the 2026 season, making every event on the developmental circuit highly significant.

DP World PGTI CEO Calls It a Proud Moment

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI, described the event as a landmark occasion.

He said bringing a DP World PGTI NexGen tournament to Varanasi for the first time, which is also the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a proud moment. He emphasized that the event reflects the tour’s commitment to expanding professional golf beyond traditional centres and creating opportunities for young professionals across India.

BLW Greens Welcomes Historic Event

Anurag Gupta, Hon’ble Secretary of BLW Greens, expressed pride in hosting the club’s first-ever DP World PGTI event.

He stated that the tournament is a landmark achievement not only for BLW Greens but also for the development of golf in Varanasi. According to him, hosting a professional championship of this stature will place the city firmly on India’s golfing map and inspire local golfers and young sports enthusiasts.

Pro-Am Event Concludes Successfully

The Pro-Am event was held on June 14, where the winning team consisted of:

• Professional golfer Pankaj Maandiya

• Amateurs Manoj Manjhi

• Ritesh Singh

• Amit Verma

The winners received their awards from BLW Greens Hon’ble Secretary Anurag Gupta.

About the NexGen Tour

Launched in 2025, the DP World PGTI NexGen Tour serves as the official developmental tour of Indian professional golf.

Its objectives include:

• Providing equal playing opportunities to professional golfers

• Strengthening India’s golfing talent pool

• Increasing competition and overall standards

• Expanding professional golf into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities

Driving Growth of Indian Golf

DP World PGTI acknowledged the support of its Umbrella Partner DP World and Tour Partners Axis Bank, Amul, Campa, Kalyani, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Golf Plus Monthly, and Golf Design India for their continued contribution towards the growth of professional golf in India.

About PGTI

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the official governing and sanctioning body for men’s professional golf in India. It is a recognized member of the International Golf Federation and the International Federation of PGA Tours, while also maintaining a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour (European Tour).

PGTI tournaments offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points and are led by President Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev, one of India’s most celebrated sporting icons.

Conclusion

The arrival of the DP World PGTI in Varanasi marks a significant chapter in the city’s sporting journey. With BLW Greens hosting a national-level professional championship for the first time, the event is expected to boost the popularity of golf in Eastern India and provide a major platform for the country’s next generation of golfing talent.