What Is 2017 Professional Golf Tour of India

Overview

The 2017 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) marked the 11th competitive season of India’s premier men’s professional golf circuit. Organized under the aegis of the Indian Golf Union, the tour aimed to elevate the standard of Indian golf by providing a structured competitive platform for domestic players.

Spanning from February to December 2017, the season featured 27 tournaments held across various states including Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Punjab. With a cumulative prize fund of ₹15.6 crore, the tour attracted top Indian professionals and several international players.

• Ajeetesh Sandhu emerged as the season’s top performer, securing the PGTI Order of Merit after winning ₹1.34 crore in prize money from consistent top-10 finishes.
• The Hero Indian Open 2017, co-sanctioned by the European Tour, served as a marquee event and offered world ranking points, boosting the tour’s international profile.
• Each tournament averaged a purse of ₹57 lakh, with the season’s richest event—the PGTI Players Championship—offering ₹20 lakh in prize money.
• The tour expanded its reach by hosting events in emerging golf markets such as Dehradun and Bhubaneswar, promoting golf beyond traditional hubs like Delhi and Mumbai.
• Players earned points based on finish positions, contributing to the Order of Merit, which determined eligibility for international events and national team selection.

How It Works

The PGTI operates on a merit-based tournament structure where players compete for prize money and ranking points across a season-long circuit. Each event follows standard stroke play rules, with cuts applied after 36 holes to narrow the field.

• Order of Merit: A season-long points and earnings leaderboard determines the top player. Ajeetesh Sandhu won in 2017 with ₹1.34 crore, the highest in tour history at the time.
• Tournament Format: Most events are 72-hole stroke play tournaments, though some are shortened to 54 holes due to weather or scheduling constraints.
• Eligibility: Indian professionals and select international players are eligible, with foreign participation capped at 20% of the field to prioritize domestic talent.
• Sanctioning Bodies: The PGTI is recognized by the R&A and the Official World Golf Ranking, allowing select events to award world ranking points.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically receives 18–20% of the total purse, with payouts extending to the top 60 finishers or those making the cut.
• Player Development: The tour includes a developmental PGTI Future Series to nurture emerging talent through lower-tier tournaments with smaller purses.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 PGTI season can be benchmarked against other regional tours in terms of scale, prize money, and player development impact.

While the PGTI’s financial scale is modest compared to international tours, its role in developing Indian golf talent is significant. The 2017 season laid groundwork for future growth, with increasing sponsorship and media coverage.

Why It Matters

The 2017 PGTI season was a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Indian professional golf, providing structure, visibility, and competitive depth. It helped solidify India’s presence in the global golf ecosystem and created pathways for young players.

• The tour enabled Indian golfers to gain world ranking points through co-sanctioned events like the Indian Open, enhancing international opportunities.
• Increased sponsorship from brands like Hero MotoCorp and Adani Group boosted prize funds and operational stability.
• Young talents such as Shubhankar Sharma used PGTI events as stepping stones before breaking into the European Tour.
• The tour promoted golf in non-metro cities, expanding grassroots interest and participation in regions with limited golf infrastructure.
• Media partnerships with Star Sports improved broadcast visibility, bringing live coverage to millions of Indian households.
• By maintaining affiliation with the R&A and OWGR, the PGTI ensured its events met global standards, increasing credibility.

The 2017 season underscored the PGTI’s role not just as a competition circuit, but as a catalyst for golf’s growth in India, setting the stage for future expansion and international integration.