Inside Indian Golf’s Growing Power Struggle: How PGTI vs IGPL Is Reshaping the Future of the Sport

Indian golf has entered one of the most transformative and turbulent phases in its professional history. What began as a quiet ecosystem anchored by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has, within months, turned into a competitive battleground following the launch of two rival franchise leagues: PGTI’s own ‘72 The League’ and the newly created Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).

Their emergence has triggered a governance conflict, a talent tug-of-war, legal challenges, and deep questions about who will control the commercial and competitive future of golf in India. 

PGTI’s announcement of ‘72 The League’ in December 2025 fundamentally changed the landscape. The league, backed by PGTI President Kapil Dev, promised a modern, franchise-driven product that would “give our boys a chance to make a life.” But the timing was unmistakable. It came just weeks after the IGPL backed by Yuvraj Singh and aligned with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) launched with a disruptive format, a high-visibility auction, and a January 2026 start date. 

Publicly, PGTI denied reacting to IGPL. In reality, the rapid mobilisation of its new league signaled that the organisation saw real competitive threat. IGPL offered something PGTI had not: a player-centric model with guaranteed money, a no-cut format, and a more entertainment-friendly design mirroring LIV Golf.

To protect its turf, PGTI introduced a hardline rule golfers must choose either IGPL or PGTI. They could not play both. The conflict escalated immediately.

PGTI’s Institutional Muscle: OWGR Points and Global Pathways

PGTI’s biggest strategic advantage is its control over India’s official professional ecosystem. It is recognised by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and, most importantly, its tournaments offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. This status is the lifeline for any golfer with international ambitions making PGTI indispensable for players trying to reach major championships or the Olympics.

Its long-standing corporate partnerships (Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, IndianOil, Coal India, Amul) ensure stability and financial depth. A strong 2025 calendar included ₹33 crore in prize money across the season, excluding co-sanctioned DP World Tour events. But this stability imposes traditional constraints. PGTI must adhere to 72-hole formats to maintain OWGR credibility a sharp contrast to IGPL’s flexible, commercially driven 54-hole structure.

IGPL’s Disruption: Guaranteed Earnings and Inclusivity

IGPL is built around a different philosophy one shaped by modern sports consumption trends. It introduced a mixed-gender league, a no-cut format guaranteeing players income, and a disruptive brand powered by celebrity association. Its partnership with the Asian Tour added an international incentive: entry into a US$500,000 event for its best performers. 

This positioned IGPL as a viable alternative for younger pros, women golfers, and those prioritising financial stability over OWGR progression.

Conflict erupted when 17 top Indian pros including Olympian Gaganjeet Bhullar chose to compete in an IGPL event that clashed with the PGTI Chennai Open. The PGTI Disciplinary Action Committee suspended them immediately. Players fought back, arguing that many weren’t even eligible for the PGTI event they supposedly “skipped.” 

Bhullar went further, alleging the suspension was “mala fide,” timed deliberately to block their participation in the US$4 million DP World India Championship, India’s most lucrative professional tournament.

Players filed petitions in the Delhi High Court, challenging the legality of the PGTI’s immediate suspension orders. Their argument was straightforward: the PGTI’s disciplinary committee lacked constitutional authority to impose interim suspensions without inquiry. The courts’ decisions in these cases could redefine the balance of power between India’s sports federations and professional athletes.

A Deepening Market Split and the Risk of Talent Dilution

The economic impact of this standoff is severe. PGTI argues that if top players skip tournaments, sponsor value diminishes and prize purses become harder to sustain. IGPL counters that without guaranteed money, many Indian golfers struggle to survive financially.

The result is a fragmented talent pool some players driven by financial security, others by pathway dependency. Both leagues risk diluted fields and weakened commercial appeal if the standoff persists. Sponsors prize visibility, predictability, and competitive strength — not a marketplace split between rival governing bodies. 

What Happens Next? Three Possible Futures

1. Prolonged Conflict: Legal disputes continue, players remain divided, and Indian golf suffers in visibility and competitive depth.
2. PGTI Dominance: OWGR pathways and DP World Tour access may force most top players back to PGTI, shrinking IGPL’s viability.
3. Co-sanctioning and Coexistence (The Optimal Outcome): The two leagues align calendars, share players, and build a sustainable, multi-format ecosystem benefiting all stakeholders.

Both leagues have legitimate arguments. PGTI offers global legitimacy and structured growth. IGPL offers innovation and financial security. Their rivalry has already accelerated long-overdue reforms, forcing Indian golf to modernise at a pace unseen in decades. But without resolution or coexistence, fragmentation threatens the sport’s commercial stability and the careers of its professionals.

Indian golf stands at a crossroads and the decisions made in the coming months will determine whether this duopoly becomes a catalyst for growth or a cautionary tale of division.