DP World becomes title partner of PGTI in multi-year golf deal

MUMBAI: When logistics meets long drives, Indian golf gets a serious lift. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has landed one of its biggest shots yet, announcing a landmark multi-year partnership with DP World, which comes on board as the title partner and official umbrella partner of India’s premier professional golf tour.

One of the most significant investments in Indian professional golf to date, the deal signals a step-change moment for the Tour, strengthening its financial muscle, raising professional standards and plugging Indian golf more firmly into the global circuit.

DP World, a long-standing title partner of the DP World Tour, is no stranger to fairways and leaderboards. Its expanded role with the Professional Golf Tour of India goes beyond branding, with a clear focus on building infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and creating international playing pathways for India’s top professionals.

The partnership also puts grassroots firmly in play. DP World and PGTI will jointly support junior and grassroots development programmes across key Indian cities, aiming to widen the talent pipeline and position India as a meaningful hub within DP World’s global golf ecosystem.

DP World CEO and managing director, MENA & India Subcontinent Rizwan Soomar said India sits at the heart of the company’s global vision. Beyond ports and supply chains, he noted, the company is investing in long-term capability building and golf is part of that wider playbook. With Indian golf showing momentum and untapped potential, the partnership is designed to nurture young talent and help Indian golfers compete with confidence on the world stage.

PGTI board member Amitabh Kant called the association a “tremendous boost” for Indian professional golf, pointing to DP World’s international reach and experience as key drivers that could elevate India’s presence in world golf and inspire the next generation of players.

The timing is no accident. Under the leadership of its PGTI president Kapil Dev has seen rapid expansion in recent years. The 2025 season alone featured 36 events with a total prize purse exceeding Rs 35 crore, excluding marquee tournaments such as the Hero Indian Open and the DP World India Championship.

Kapil Dev said the partnership marks a new era for the Tour, strengthening the competitive structure, widening opportunities for players and accelerating the long-term development of the sport in India. “Momentum, visibility and excellence” were the themes he highlighted as PGTI and DP World look ahead.

The tie-up builds on DP World’s deepening footprint in Indian golf, notably the launch of the DP World India Championship in 2025 on both the DP World Tour and the PGTI calendar, an event the company hopes will become a permanent fixture. With a golf relationship dating back to 2009, DP World’s latest move suggests Indian golf is no longer just on the map, it’s firmly on the global scorecard.