Indian professional golf witnessed a landmark moment as Rajasthan Regals emerged champions of the inaugural PGTI’s 72 The League, defeating UP Prometheans with a commanding 12–3 victory in the final on Friday.
The triumph marked a fitting conclusion to a groundbreaking tournament that introduced a franchise-based format to Indian professional golf.
The Rajasthan-based franchise entered the final after finishing second in the league stage, while UP Prometheans had topped the table and were widely considered favourites. However, the Regals produced a dominant performance in the championship clash, reversing the narrative after having suffered a heavy 4–10 defeat against the Prometheans earlier in the league stage.
Their victory not only secured the prestigious inaugural title but also earned them ₹1 crore in prize money, along with the tournament trophy. The runners-up, UP Prometheans, took home ₹50 lakh.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The launch of the league represented a significant shift in Indian golf’s competitive landscape. Traditionally dominated by individual stroke-play tournaments, the new event introduced a team-based match-play format, designed to bring greater excitement, fan engagement and commercial value to the sport.
Six city-based franchises participated in the inaugural season, competing across a series of league matches before the top two teams advanced to the final.
For Rajasthan Regals, the success highlighted the value of squad depth and teamwork in a format that rewards collective performance rather than individual brilliance alone.
Regals Turn the Tables in the Final
The final began with UP Prometheans fielding their two strongest players in the singles matches. Team captain Shaurya Bhattacharya, who had remained unbeaten throughout the league stage, was paired with Arjun Prasad in an attempt to establish early momentum.
However, the Rajasthan Regals dismantled that strategy almost immediately.
Jairaj Singh Sandhu produced one of the standout performances of the tournament by defeating the previously unbeaten Bhattacharya 4&3, delivering a major psychological blow to the Prometheans. Moments later, Akshay Sharma reinforced the Regals’ dominance by defeating Arjun Prasad 2&1, giving the Rajasthan franchise a crucial early lead in the tie.
Those two results effectively shifted the momentum of the final.
Decisive Moment on the 18th Hole
With the Regals already ahead and needing just one more victory from the remaining matches, the championship was ultimately decided in the foursomes contest. The pair of Aryaman Mohan and Yuvraj Singh faced UP Prometheans’ duo of Joshua Seale and Arjun Sharma in a tense encounter that remained evenly balanced throughout.
The match went down to the 18th hole, with both teams locked in a tight contest. When the teams tied the final hole, the Regals clinched the match 1-up, sealing the championship victory. Young Aryaman Mohan had the honour of sinking the decisive putt, a moment that symbolised the composure and confidence shown by the Rajasthan side throughout the final.
Additional Matches Confirm Dominance
Although the championship had already been secured, the remaining matches continued to add to the Regals’ winning margin. The pair of Chikkarangappa S and Dhruv Sheoran completed a 2&1 victory over Gaurav Pratap Singh and Pranav Mardikar, pushing the final scoreline to an emphatic 12–3.
The only setback for Rajasthan came when captain Ajeetesh Sandhu, partnering Michele Ortolani, suffered his first defeat of the tournament in a fourball match. Nevertheless, the result had little impact on the outcome of the final as the Regals had already sealed the title.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
After lifting the trophy, Rajasthan Regals captain Ajeetesh Sandhu credited the team’s unity and balance as the key factors behind their success.
“It’s been an incredible honour to lead this bunch of players. From the moment of the auction, I knew we had a lot of depth in the team. However, more importantly, when we got together for the first time, everyone jelled with each other. The chemistry has been fantastic,” Sandhu said.
His remarks highlighted one of the defining features of the new format the importance of team cohesion in a sport traditionally dominated by individual competition.
While the spotlight remained on the main final, the tournament also featured a Plate Championship for teams that did not reach the title match. The Charminar Champions emerged victorious in that competition, finishing third overall and demonstrating strong depth across their squad.
The Plate event ensured that all participating teams remained competitive until the final stages of the tournament.
A Promising Future for Franchise Golf in India
The successful conclusion of the inaugural season signals a promising future for franchise-based golf competitions in the country. The format introduced match-play drama, team rivalries and local franchise identities, elements that have proven successful in other sports leagues across India.
For players, the league provided a rare opportunity to compete in high-pressure team environments, similar to international competitions such as the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. For fans, it delivered a faster-paced and more engaging version of professional golf.
With their commanding performance in the final, Rajasthan Regals have etched their name in Indian golf history as the first-ever champions of PGTI’s 72 The League. Their victory showcased the importance of squad depth, tactical planning and composure under pressure.
More importantly, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Indian golf one where franchise leagues could play a major role in expanding the sport’s reach and popularity across the country.
