What Is 2020 Professional Golf Tour of India

Overview

The 2020 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) marked the 13th season of India's premier men's professional golf circuit. Originally scheduled to begin in March, the season faced a major disruption due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread travel restrictions and event cancellations across the country.

Despite the challenges, the tour resumed in October 2020 with strict health protocols and managed to complete a condensed schedule of 12 official events. The season culminated in December, providing professional golfers in India with a platform to compete and earn ranking points and prize money during a difficult year for sports.

• 12 official events were held in 2020, down from a planned 20+, due to pandemic-related disruptions and safety concerns.
• The season started in October 2020 at the DLF Masters in Gurugram, six months after its originally planned March start date.
• Total prize money distributed during the season reached ₹12.4 crore, with individual event purses ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore.
• Arun Kumar won the PGTI Order of Merit with earnings of ₹1.04 crore, becoming the first Indian to top the rankings since 2016.
• The tour implemented strict bio-secure bubbles and daily RT-PCR testing to ensure player and staff safety during tournaments.

How It Works

The Professional Golf Tour of India operates as the primary organizing body for men’s professional golf events in the country, sanctioning tournaments and managing player rankings. The 2020 season adapted its structure to comply with public health guidelines while maintaining competitive integrity.

• Order of Merit: A season-long points and earnings-based ranking system. The player with the highest earnings at year-end, Arun Kumar, was crowned champion.
• Eligibility: Open to professional golfers, including PGTI members and select amateurs. Players needed a valid handicap and prior tournament experience to enter events.
• Event Format: Most tournaments followed a 72-hole stroke play format, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 45 players and ties.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically received 20% of the total purse, with payouts extending to the top 40 finishers based on performance.
• Ranking Points: Points were awarded based on finishing position, contributing to the PGTI rankings and eligibility for international events.
• Health Protocols: In 2020, all participants underwent daily RT-PCR testing and lived in controlled environments to minimize infection risks.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 PGTI season compared to previous years in key performance metrics:

Despite fewer events, the 2020 season saw a higher average purse per tournament due to concentrated sponsorship and government support. However, the compressed schedule limited player participation and earning potential compared to a full season.

Why It Matters

The 2020 PGTI season was significant for sustaining Indian professional golf during a global crisis. It demonstrated the resilience of domestic sports and provided a blueprint for hosting safe, compliant events under extraordinary circumstances.

• The successful execution of 12 events in 2020 ensured that Indian golfers retained competitive opportunities amid international travel bans.
• Increased media coverage on DD Sports and Eurosport helped boost visibility for homegrown talent during a year with limited international exposure.
• The tour’s adaptation set a precedent for other Indian sports leagues on how to manage operations during public health emergencies.
• Young players like Yashwanth Singh gained valuable experience, finishing in the top 10 of the Order of Merit despite limited prior exposure.
• Sponsorship from Hero MotoCorp and PGTI ensured financial stability, preventing complete cancellation of the season.
• The season reinforced the importance of domestic tours in developing future stars for the Asian Tour and DP World Tour.

The 2020 season, though abbreviated, played a crucial role in maintaining the professional ecosystem for Indian golfers and laid the groundwork for a stronger comeback in 2021.