DP World PGTI makes debut in Varanasi with staging of NexGen event from June 16
Varanasi, June 15
The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India will make its debut in the historic city of Varanasi with the sixth event of the NexGen season scheduled to be played at the BLW Greens golf course from June 16 - 18, 2026.
The DP World PGTI's first-ever tournament in Varanasi offers a prize purse of INR 25 lakh. The event will be played over three rounds (54 holes) with the cut being applied after two rounds (36 holes). The top-36 players and ties will make the cut for the third and final round.
The tournament features a field of 72 players. The leading players in the field are Sunit Chowrasia (2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit leader), Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Bipin Mukhiya, Abhishek Kumar, Aditya Raj Singh Chahal and Vinay Kumar Yadav as well as 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir. The two Varanasi-based players in the field are Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav.
The winner of this year's NexGen Order of Merit will earn an exemption on the main tour (DP World PGTI) for the 2026 season.
Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, "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. 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. The tournament also seeks to further promote professional golf in Varanasi and inspire more youngsters in the city to take up the sport."
Anurag Gupta, secretary, BLW Greens, said, "We are proud and delighted that BLW Greens, Varanasi, is hosting its first-ever DP World PGTI NexGen event. This is a landmark moment not only for our club but also for the growth of golf in Varanasi. Hosting a professional tournament of this stature places Varanasi on the national golfing map and provides local golf enthusiasts, young players, and the wider community with an opportunity to witness professional golf of the highest standard. We look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for the players, officials, partners, and spectators. We wish the players all the best."
The Pro-Am event was played on Sunday, 14th June. The Pro-Am was won by the team consisting of professional Pankaj Maandiya and amateurs Manoj Manjhi, Ritesh Singh and Amit Verma. The winning team received their prizes from Mr. Anurag Gupta, Hon'ble Secretary, BLW Greens.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some good news for sports development in smaller cities! 👏 Varanasi has a rich heritage and now it's getting a professional sports event. The fact that two local players - Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav - are participating gives hope to many youngsters. I hope the tournament gets good support from local spectators.
Nice initiative by DP World PGTI. But I hope the infrastructure and facilities at BLW Greens are truly up to professional standards. Varanasi is a historic city but often lacks modern amenities. The organizers should ensure the course is well-maintained so that players get a fair chance to showcase their talent.
This is amazing for young Indian golfers! The NexGen Order of Merit winner gets an exemption on the main tour - that's a big deal. 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir in the field shows the future is bright. 🏌️ Varanasi is a step in the right direction for taking golf beyond just metros. Keep growing, Indian golf!
Good to see the PM's constituency getting a professional sports event. But the article should have mentioned more about what BLW Greens course is like - is it a 18-hole course? What about practice facilities? Golf is growing in India but we need transparency. Still, any event in tier-2 cities is welcome. Let the game spread! ✌️
As a golf enthusiast from Uttar Pradesh, this is fantastic news! Finally our state is getting recognized. The Pro-Am event win by Pankaj Maandiya's team shows local talent is already engaging.
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