Indian professional golf is entering a new era with the launch of the Professional Golf Tour of India’s (PGTI) ambitious franchise-based competition 72 The League.
Featuring six city-based teams and a complete shift from traditional stroke play to match play, the tournament represents one of the most significant structural transformations in the history of Indian golf.
The six franchises UP Prometheans, Rajasthan Regals, Charminar Champions (Hyderabad), Kolkata Classics, Capital Lancers (Delhi) and Mumbai Aces will compete in a high-intensity team format designed to enhance spectator engagement and broadcast appeal. Unlike conventional four-round stroke-play tournaments where cumulative scoring determines the winner, 72 The League will operate entirely on match play principles, creating direct head-to-head contests across formats.
A Format Built for Drama
The defining feature of the league is its daily competitive structure. Each franchise will have a 10-member squad, but only eight golfers will compete on every match day. This introduces tactical depth, squad rotation, and strategic decision-making that Indian golf has never previously witnessed.
Each tie will feature, Two singles matches, Two four-ball matches & One foursome (alternate shot) match
This layered structure ensures that every match day delivers multiple storylines, rewarding versatility, partnership chemistry, and mental resilience under pressure.
Match play naturally produces momentum swings and hole-by-hole tension, making it significantly more viewer-friendly compared to the often slower-paced stroke-play format. A single poor hole does not derail a player’s entire round, encouraging aggressive tactics and calculated risk-taking.
The Teams and Their Identity
Each of the six franchises brings a distinct identity and philosophy to the competition.
- Capital Lancers (Delhi) have invested heavily in marquee names, signalling an intent to dominate through star power and experience.
- Charminar Champions (Hyderabad) appear focused on blending youth with aggressive format specialists.
- Mumbai Aces have strategically balanced emerging prodigies with established professionals.
- Rajasthan Regals emphasize squad depth and tactical versatility.
- Kolkata Classics lean on tradition and experienced campaigners.
- UP Prometheans, notably owned by Prometheus School founder Mukesh Sharma, represent a grassroots-driven ownership model aimed at long-term talent development.
This diversity in squad construction could prove decisive in match play, where adaptability and psychological composure often outweigh raw scoring averages.
Auction Economics and Competitive Balance
The league’s player auction distributed 60 professional contracts among a registered pool of 170 golfers from 11 countries . Each franchise operated within a fixed purse of ₹1 crore, bringing total player investment across the league to ₹6 crore. Players were categorized into Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers based on performance rankings. Interestingly, bidding patterns revealed that match-play suitability often commanded a premium over Order of Merit standings. Aggressive competitors with strong head-to-head records drew heightened interest, underlining how format influences valuation.
The auction’s financial discipline ensures competitive balance while also establishing a new commercial benchmark for domestic golf.
Venue Strategy: Delhi NCR as Golf Corridor
The inaugural season will be centralized in the Delhi NCR region, rotating across:
- Classic Golf & Country Club (Gurugram)
- Jaypee Greens (Greater Noida)
- Qutab Golf Course (Delhi)
This strategic clustering minimizes travel fatigue, optimizes broadcast logistics, and leverages some of India’s most developed golfing infrastructure.
Each course presents unique tactical challenges from wide, power-friendly layouts to tighter, precision-driven tracks ensuring that teams must constantly recalibrate strategies.
Leadership and Vision
Under PGTI President Kapil Dev, the league reflects a deliberate attempt to reposition golf within India’s evolving sports economy. Commissioner Amrit Mathur brings league-management expertise, while CEO Amandeep Johl ensures the initiative remains aligned with player interests.
Importantly, the league does not replace traditional tour events but complements them. It creates a high-visibility commercial property without disrupting ranking pathways or global affiliations.
Beyond Sport: The Lifestyle Element
72 The League also incorporates premium lifestyle branding. The winning franchise will receive the “Gentleman’s Jacket,” designed in partnership with fashion label Shantnu & Nikhil. Inspired by global golf traditions like the Masters’ Green Jacket, this element reinforces the league’s positioning at the intersection of sport and elite culture.
The objective is clear: elevate golf’s aspirational appeal while making it accessible to newer audiences through entertainment-driven presentation.
Strategic Impact on Indian Golf
The introduction of franchise-based match play signals broader ambitions:
- Commercial Scalability – A successful inaugural season could pave the way for expansion into additional cities and potentially a women’s edition.
- Grassroots Integration – Ownership models like UP Prometheans highlight pathways linking education, development, and professional competition.
- International Readiness – The pressure dynamics of match play serve as strong preparation for global team events and Olympic competition.
The league also arrives amid competitive tensions within Indian golf, with alternate league concepts emerging. However, 72 The League positions itself firmly within the PGTI ecosystem and structured ranking pathway .
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For decades, professional golf in India has grown steadily but remained largely confined to niche audiences. With 72 The League, the PGTI is betting that a faster, more engaging, team-based format can transform the sport’s domestic profile. If the blend of competitive integrity, commercial vision, and broadcast-friendly design succeeds, Indian golf may finally find its mainstream breakthrough.
As the first tee shots are struck, 72 The League represents more than a tournament it marks the beginning of a structural reset in how professional golf is imagined, consumed, and commercialized in India.
