History of the Indian Golf Premier League and Chandigarh Debut
The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) has officially launched, aiming to change the face of Indian golf. With its franchise-style approach, no-cut tournaments, and mixed-gender competition, IGPL has quickly become one of the most talked-about experiments in Indian sport. Much like LIV Golf on the global stage, it faces resistance from established bodies but also promises new opportunities for professionals and fans alike.
This article takes a deep dive into IGPL’s history, its tussle with the Professional Golf Tour of
IGPL was founded in 2025 with the support of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI). Yuvraj Singh, the former cricket star, stepped in as co-founder and brand ambassador.
Singh compared IGPL directly to cricket’s Indian Premier League, saying, “A golfer’s life is not easy. You travel, pay bills, and often don’t make money unless you make the cut. IGPL is providing a format for the younger generation where financial constraints are not the biggest worry. Just like IPL changed cricket, IGPL can change the dynamics of golf in India.”
The league’s mission is to make golf accessible, financially viable, and entertaining for a wider audience. It also wants to elevate women’s golf and provide amateurs a stage to compete with the best.
The Clash with PGTI
The launch created an immediate clash with the Professional Golf Tour of India. PGTI has long been the custodian of professional golf in the country and was quick to push back against IGPL’s arrival.
PGTI asked its members to sign allegiance forms that barred them from playing outside tournaments without prior approval. Kapil Dev, who heads the body, went further by describing IGPL as a “rebel tour.”
Importantly, talks between IGPL and PGTI did take place in the months leading up to the launch. There was discussion of co-sanctioning events and even collaboration to avoid a split in Indian golf. But the negotiations collapsed. Reports suggest that PGTI found IGPL’s terms unacceptable, particularly around control, scheduling, and financial guarantees.
The failed talks left players caught in the middle. IGPL offers guaranteed money and inclusivity. PGTI offers world ranking points and Olympic pathways. The deadlock mirrors the global standoff between LIV Golf and the PGA/DP World Tour.
IGPL Format and Structure
IGPL has introduced several distinctive elements:
- No cuts – all players compete in every round
- Three-day events – short and fan-friendly
- Mixed-gender fields – men and women professionals compete together
- Prize money – ₹1.5 crore per event
- Multi-city schedule – Chandigarh, Greater Noida, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, with legs in Dubai and Colombo
- Franchise league – six teams starting in January 2026, each drafting ten players through an auction
This design combines financial stability for players with a more engaging product for fans and sponsors.
Notable Players Who Joined IGPL
IGPL managed to sign some of the most recognizable names in Indian golf.
- Gaganjeet Bhullar – multiple winner on the Asian Tour
- Gaurav Ghei – the first Indian to play The Open Championship
- SSP Chawrasia – veteran and European Tour winner
- Women stars such as Amandeep Drall, Neha Tripathi, and Jahanvi Bakshi
- Rising players including Kartik Singh, Veer Ganapathy, and Raghav Chugh, who all made their professional debuts in the Chandigarh opener
The participation of veterans alongside young amateurs highlights IGPL’s attempt to bridge generations.
Players’ Reactions and Comments
Several players praised IGPL after the opening day.
Shaurya Binu, who led after Round 1, said, “I really loved the first day. The setup was engaging and the tournament felt international. The way things were managed exceeded my expectations. The pressure of a cut is gone, and that makes a big difference for players like me.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar added, “The club did a great job in preparing the course despite the weather. IGPL has come at the right time. Playing alongside youngsters like Kartik Singh and Veer Ganapathy sends a message: the next generation is here.”
Veteran Shiv Kapur praised IGPL’s vision, comparing it to IPL in cricket, while SSP Chawrasia emphasized financial relief, saying, “Golf is an expensive sport. A format like this helps younger players focus on performance rather than expenses.”
These comments highlight the balance of relief, optimism, and hope among professionals who see IGPL as a chance to reset the game.
PGTI Reaction: Warnings vs Reality
PGTI has not yet issued outright bans, but the warnings are real. By threatening to expel or suspend players, it hopes to protect its turf. PGTI’s strength lies in offering official world ranking points, something IGPL lacks.
Without recognition from global golf bodies, IGPL cannot provide the same pathways to majors or the Olympics. That remains its biggest weakness, just as LIV Golf initially struggled without ranking points. Whether IGPL can secure co-sanctioning with the Asian Tour or other bodies will determine its long-term viability.
Inaugural Tournament in Chandigarh
The IGPL Tour began on September 10, 2025, at Chandigarh Golf Club. The event featured 54 players, including men, women, and amateurs, competing for ₹1.5 crore. Despite heavy rains, the course drew praise from players for its preparation.
The opening day produced drama and a leaderboard that reflected IGPL’s inclusivity.
First Round Scores
- Shaurya Binu – 69 (−3)
- M Dharma – 70 (−2)
- Gaganjeet Bhullar – 70 (−2)
- Krish Chawla – 70 (−2)
- Harendra Gupta – 71 (−1)
- Aman Raj – 72 (E)
- Aryan Roopa Anand – 72 (E)
- Yashas Chandra MS – 72 (E)
- Sanju Kumar – 72 (E)
- Veer Ganapathy – 72 (E)
- Neil Jolly – 73 (+1)
- Trishul Chinnappa – 73 (+1)
- Raghav Chugh – 73 (+1)
- Jahanvi Bakshi – 73 (+1), best among women
- Kartik Sharma – 73 (+1)
- Kapil Kumar – 73 (+1)
- C Muniyappa – 73 (+1)
- Sujjan Singh – 73 (+1)
- Kartik Singh – 73 (+1)
- Syed Saqib Ahmed – 73 (+1)
- Aadil Bedi – 74 (+2)
- Shat Mishra – 74 (+2)
- Pukhraj Singh Gill – 74 (+2)
- Samarth Dwivedi – 74 (+2)
- Khushi Khanijau – 74 (+2)
- Mannat Brar – 74 (+2)
- Sachin Baisoya – 75 (+3)
- Sarthak Chhibber – 75 (+3)
- Aalaap IL – 75 (+3)
- Sunhit Bishnoi – 75 (+3)
- Ranjit Singh – 75 (+3)
- Tushar Pannu – 75 (+3)
- Gaurav Ghei – 75 (+3)
- Vidhatri Urs – 75 (+3)
- Chiragh Kumar – 76 (+4)
- Arshpreet Thind – 76 (+4)
- Sudhir Sharma – 76 (+4)
- Jaibir Singh – 76 (+4)
- Digraj Singh Gill – 77 (+5)
- Naman Dawar – 77 (+5)
- Milind Soni – 77 (+5)
- Amandeep Drall – 77 (+5)
- Harjai Milkha Singh – 77 (+5)
- Jasmine Shekar – 77 (+5)
- Neha Tripathi – 78 (+6)
- Heena Kang – 78 (+6)
- Agrima Manral – 78 (+6)
- Gaurav Pratap Singh – 78 (+6)
- Arjun Singh – 80 (+8)
- Amritinder Singh – 81 (+9)
- Seher Kaur Atwal – 82 (+10)
- Durga Nittur – 82 (+10)
- Zorawar Randhawa – 83 (+11)
- Harshjeet Singh Sethie – 84 (+12)
Women Professionals – Round 1 Scores
- Jahanvi Bakshi – +1 (73)
- Khushi Khanijau – +2 (74)
- Mannat Brar – +2 (74)
- Vidhatri Urs – +3 (75)
- Amandeep Drall – +5 (77)
- Jasmine Shekar – +5 (77)
- Neha Tripathi – +6 (78)
- Heena Kang – +6 (78)
- Agrima Manral – +6 (78)
- Seher Kaur Atwal – +10 (82)
- Durga Nittur – +10 (82)
LIV Golf Comparison and Future Challenges
The Indian Golf Premier League draws strong parallels with LIV Golf. Both emerged as disruptive forces, offering guaranteed prize money and new formats. Both also faced resistance from established tours.
IGPL’s biggest challenge is legitimacy. Without world ranking points, players risk stalling their international careers. Co-sanctioned events, such as the planned IGPL Classic with the Asian Tour, are critical for credibility.
Financial sustainability is another hurdle. Franchise-based leagues demand strong backers and consistent fan engagement. Cricket dominates the Indian sports market, and golf must fight for attention. To succeed, IGPL will need to innovate in broadcasting, marketing, and grassroots development.
Yet, if it overcomes these obstacles, IGPL could create pathways for Indian golfers to compete internationally while inspiring the next generation.
Conclusion
The Indian Golf Premier League has launched with energy, promise, and controversy. It offers players financial stability and inclusivity, but also faces resistance from PGTI and questions of legitimacy. The opening event in Chandigarh highlighted its potential, with a diverse leaderboard featuring men, women, veterans, and young amateurs.
Talks between IGPL and PGTI may have failed this time, but the future will depend on whether common ground can eventually be found. Whether IGPL becomes India’s version of LIV Golf or fades as a bold experiment will depend on how it handles governance conflicts, financial sustainability, and international recognition. For now, Indian golf has entered a new era, and the world is watching.
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LIV Golf vs Indian Golf Premier League: Key Differences
| Aspect | LIV Golf | Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) |
| Launch Year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Founding Backing | Funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund | Backed by Indian Golf Union, WGAI, and private franchises with Yuvraj Singh as co-founder |
| Format | 54-hole events, shotgun starts, 12 teams of 4 players each | 3-day stroke play, no cuts, 6 franchises with 10 players each (from 2026) |
| Prize Money | Over $25 million per event | ₹1.5 crore (~$180,000) per event in inaugural season |
| Player Base | Global superstars (Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau) | Indian professionals, women pros, rising amateurs |
| World Ranking Points | Initially none, later partial recognition via alliance with Asian Tour and International Series | None yet, but aims for co-sanctioning with Asian Tour (first planned event in Ahmedabad, Nov 2025) |
| Controversy | Split from PGA Tour, bans and legal battles | Conflict with PGTI, warnings of suspension, failed talks of co-sanctioning |
| Audience Reach | Global TV and streaming, strong U.S. and international fan attention | Focus on Indian market with expansion to Dubai and Sri Lanka, hopes to grow grassroots interest |
| Unique Selling Point | Huge prize purses and star power | Inclusivity: men, women, and amateurs competing together, plus financial security for young players |
