Aiming to inject the excitement of T20 cricket into golf, the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has introduced a groundbreaking mixed-format tournament at the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational.
This event, boasting a prize purse of ₹2 crore, will bring together India’s top male and female golfers to compete on the same platform for the first time.
The third edition of the tournament, co-sanctioned by the PGTI and the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI), is set to take place at Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru from 23 to 26 April.
Kapil Dev, the legendary cricketer and PGTI President, expressed his enthusiasm for the format, likening it to the thrill of T20 cricket. "It is something new that is happening. We want to do something like T20 – more thrills in a short time," he told reporters.
He emphasised the importance of evolving with time and attracting more fans and sponsors to golf, just as cricket did through its shorter formats.
The tournament will commence with a practice round on 23 April, followed by a three-day, 54-hole championship featuring 60 men and 12 women professionals competing for the same prize money.
Adding to the unique format, the event will also include three Pro-Am rounds, where 48 professionals will play in the morning, while the remaining 24 will team up with 72 amateur golfers in the afternoon.
Each Pro-Am team will consist of one professional and three amateurs, blending the pro’s stroke play with the amateurs’ scramble format.
Prize money will also be awarded to the top three professionals in the Pro-Am standings, making the competition both high-stakes and engaging.
Defending Champion Hopes for a Turnaround
Defending champion Karan Pratap Singh, who had an impressive season in 2023 with two wins, is eager to rediscover his form at the upcoming event. Reflecting on his struggles, he admitted to making swing changes that backfired but now feels confident after returning to his old technique.
"I have missed the cut in almost every event this year, but this tournament is close to my heart. It was the second event I won as a professional, and I believe I can regain my game here," he told media agency.
Women Golfers Welcome the Challenge
Tvesa Malik, one of India’s leading female golfers, expressed her excitement about competing alongside the country’s best male players. "It’s incredible to play with the top golfers in the country, and the extra prize money is a great incentive," she said.
Malik, who had a promising start last season, acknowledged that golf is a continuous learning process. "I had a low patch before, but last season gave me the confidence that I still have it in me. I am really excited about this season," she added.
A New Era for Indian Golf
The event was also attended by Vishesh C. Chandiok, CEO of Grant Thornton Bharat, and Amandeep Johl, CEO of PGTI.
With its innovative format and the backing of sporting icons, the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational is expected to bring a fresh wave of excitement to Indian golf, making it more dynamic and engaging for both players and fans.
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