DP World PGTI NexGen Tour Makes Historic Varanasi Debut
Anirudh Jain - Kolkata Bureau Jun 15, 2026 900 Views
The DP World PGTI NexGen Tour is making its debut in Varanasi at the BLW Greens Golf Course from June 16 to 18, 2026. Featuring a Rs 25 lakh purse and a 72-player field led by Sunit Chowrasia, the 54-hole tournament marks a milestone for professional golf in eastern India.
VARANASI, India — June 15, 2026 — The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) will officially mark its historic debut in the ancient city of Varanasi on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The prestigious DP World PGTI NexGen Tour is scheduled to host its sixth event of the 2026 season at the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) Greens Golf Course. Featuring a highly competitive 72-player field, the tournament offers a total prize purse of Rs 25 lakh alongside critical Order of Merit points. This three-day professional tournament signifies an intentional expansion of elite Indian golf into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, establishing eastern Uttar Pradesh as a vital destination for national-level sporting events.
Expanding India's Professional Golf Footprint
Organized by the Professional Golf Tour of India, the DP World PGTI NexGen Tour acts as the primary developmental pipeline for the country's emerging golf talent. By anchoring a major event at the BLW Greens Golf Course, popularly known as Bareka, organizers aim to diversify the geographical reach of professional golf away from traditional urban centers.
The competitive infrastructure has been prepared specifically to challenge rising athletes. The tournament will be played across three rounds totaling 54 holes. To advance to the final day of play, competitors must survive a strict 36-hole cut applied on Wednesday, which will narrow the field down to the top-36 players plus ties.
For the participating athletes, the stakes extend far beyond the immediate financial reward. The player who finishes at the top of the season-ending NexGen Order of Merit will secure a direct exemption onto the main DP World PGTI circuit for the 2027 season, bypassing traditional qualifying restrictions.
Elite Talent and Local Contenders Form Field
The 72-player roster assembled in Varanasibalances national frontrunners with regional competitors. Headlining the professional field is Sunit Chowrasia, who currently holds the number one spot on the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit. He faces strong opposition from top-tier tour players including Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Bipin Mukhiya, Abhishek Kumar, and Aditya Raj Singh Chahal.
The tournament will also serve as a stage for developmental narratives, featuring 15-year-old prodigy Arjunveer Shishir. Local sporting interest will center heavily on two Varanasi-based professionals, Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav, both of whom are intimately familiar with the unique layout of the Bareka course.
Operational preparations culminated over the weekend. Following strict course configurations on June 13, officials hosted a specialized 9-hole Pro-Am tournament on June 14, blending teams of Bareka golfers with touring professionals. Official practice rounds concluded on Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's opening tee-offs.
Impact on Regional Tourism and Infrastructure
The selection of the BLW Greens Golf Course highlights the robust sports infrastructure maintained by Indian Railways. By successfully transitioning the venue to meet professional standards, local authorities aim to stimulate sports tourism and youth athletic recruitment across eastern India.
For businesses and hospitality providers in Varanasi, the influx of tournament officials, players, and spectators represents an economic boost in a sector traditionally dominated by cultural tourism. Tourism analysts note that events of this scale enhance the profile of regional hospitality assets and encourage investments in localized recreational infrastructure.
Official Sources Section
The logistics, event structuring, and player fields have been validated through official tournament documentation released by the Professional Golf Tour of India and formal administrative press briefings organized by the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) management.
Quote Section
"Bringing a DP World PGTI NexGen event to Varanasi for the first time, which also happens to be the constituency of our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a proud moment for us," stated Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World PGTI.
"This event reflects our commitment to taking professional golf beyond the traditional centres and into the heart of India. Varanasi's rich heritage and passionate golfing community make it an ideal host, and we look forward to giving young professionals the platform they need to compete and grow."
Why It Matters
The shift of professional golf events to regional cities fundamentally lowers entry barriers for local athletes who previously required significant capital to train and compete in major metropolitan markets. By providing national media exposure to venues like Bareka, the tour creates a decentralized framework that assists corporate sponsors and regional academies in identifying raw golfing talent directly from India's interior states.
Key Facts at a Glance
Tournament Dates: Tuesday, June 16 to Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Official Venue: Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) Greens Golf Course, Varanasi.
Financial Stakes: Total prize purse of Rs 25 lakh (INR 2,500,000).
Field Composition: 72 professional players, featuring Order of Merit leader Sunit Chowrasia.
Tournament Format: 54-hole stroke play with a 36-hole cut for the top-36 players and ties.
FAQ Section
What is the exact schedule for the DP World PGTI NexGen Tour event in Varanasi?
The tournament main rounds take place from June 16 to June 18, 2026. The official Pro-Am was held on June 14, followed by mandatory player practice rounds on June 15. The final prize distribution ceremony will occur immediately after the conclusion of play on June 18.
How does the tournament format work for the players?
The competition is a 54-hole stroke-play tournament spread over three days. A competitive cut is applied after the second round (36 holes). Only the top-36 players and those tied for the 36th position will advance to the third and final round on Thursday.
Why is this specific tournament significant for emerging Indian golfers?
Apart from competing for a share of the Rs 25 lakh purse, the player who finishes first in the overall NexGen Order of Merit at the end of the season secures a full exemption to play on the main DP World PGTI tour for the following 2027 season.
Can the general public attend the tournament at the BLW Greens Golf Course?
Yes, the event is organized to popularize golf across eastern India. Local sports enthusiasts, citizens, and travelers can watch the country's top young professionals compete at the Banaras Locomotive Works facility.
