Dubai resident Jeev Milkha Singh hosts tournament on Professional Golf Tour of India
The PGTI has encouraged access to playing opportunities for Indian golfers
This week, Dubai resident Jeev Milkha Singh will host an Invitational presented on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) from Thursday to Sunday, with the Tournament Pro-Am on Wednesday.
The 72-hole event, with a prize-fund of Dh742,000 will be played over the 7,202 yards, par-72 course at Chidigarh Golf Club, known for its tight fairways. This is the fifth time that Jeev has hosted this tournament.
Tournament host Jeev told Gulf News: “The last time I played a competitive round was 12 months ago at this tournament. I am looking forward to not only hosting, but also playing. I have not played any tournament golf recently with both COVID-19 and my family challenges, so this week will help sharpen up my game as I turn 50 next month and become a rookie again as a senior golfer on the Champion’s Tour.
“The title sponsors Take, who are a global IT solution company, approached me over five years ago and we collectively decided it would be good for both of us to give something back to the game of golf in India, and it became a win-win for both parties.
“It is especially appropriate that the tournament is being played at my home golf club where I first started to learn the game.”
The PGTI has encouraged access to playing opportunities for Indian golfers and has strived to reverse the attitude that golf is an elite sport in India.
The field consists of 130 players with category qualification including PGTI Order of Merit winners, PGTI multiple tournament winners and PGTI Order of Merit qualification.
Dubai-based Shiv Kapur is also participating in this 20th tournament on this year’s PGTI Order of Merit, alongside other familiar names, including Gaganjeet Bhullar and SSP Chawrasia, with all but 11 players in the field competing under the India flag.
The PGTI was inducted into the International Federation of PGA Tours in 2009 and in 2019 became part of the official world ranking system.
Karandeep Kochhar leads the PGTI standings as the season nears its end in December. Following the PGTI event Jeev will continue to build up his match fitness and then play two tournaments on the Asian Tour in Phuket, Thailand at the end of November.