India’s professional golf scene has grown steadily, with a mix of national and international events shaping the sport’s landscape. From prestigious domestic tournaments to Indian golfers making their mark on the world stage, the country has developed a strong presence in golf.
Major Golf Tournaments in India
India hosts a range of professional golf events, attracting top players from the country and beyond. In 2014, the national professional tour featured 24 tournaments, with some gaining recognition through international sanctioning.
Key tournaments:
- Hero Indian Open – India’s premier tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
- SAIL-SBI Open & Panasonic Open – Both featured on the Asian Tour, bringing global talent to India.
- Take Solutions India Masters – A key event on the Asian Development Tour.
- BILT Open, CG Open, and Tata Open – High-prize money tournaments, drawing competitive fields.
- Louis Philippe Cup – A prestigious team-based golf event.
- McLeod Russel Tour Championship – A season-ending event showcasing India’s best professional players.
In addition to these, corporate and invitational tournaments contribute to the sport’s growing appeal, including:
- DLF Women’s Indian Open
- Kashmir Golf Festival
- The Toyota Golf Festival
- Mercedes Trophy & British Airways Executive Challenge
- These tournaments offer amateurs and corporate players a chance to experience high-level golf while promoting the game to a broader audience.
India’s Achievements in International Golf
Indian golfers have made significant strides on the global stage, earning medals and recognition in international competitions.
Asian Games Medal Tally (Updated July 2024)
Gold: 3
Silver: 4
Bronze: 0
Total: 7
Olympic Success
Aditi Ashok finished 4th in the Women’s Individual event at the 2020 Olympics, coming remarkably close to securing a historic medal for India.
National Recognition
The Arjuna Award, India’s top sporting honor, has been awarded to several Indian golfers over the years:
Lakshman Singh (1982) – A key contributor to India’s early success in golf.
Jeev Milkha Singh (1999) – One of India’s most successful professional golfers.
Anirban Lahiri (2014) – A leading name in modern Indian golf.
Aditi Ashok (2020) – Recognized for her outstanding international performances.
With India’s increasing presence in global tournaments and a growing domestic tour, the future of Indian golf looks promising. As accessibility improves and young talent emerges, the country has the potential to become a powerhouse in international golf.