Key Points

The Professional Golf Tour of India has suspended 17 of the country's top golfers. The suspension is for their participation in a tournament organized by the rival Indian Golf Premier League. This has caused major outrage as the players were not even entered in the conflicting PGTI event happening at the same time. The golfers are now considering legal action, claiming the suspension process was unfair and that they are being selectively targeted.

Key Points: PGTI Suspends Gaganjeet Bhullar 17 Top Golfers Over IGPL Event

  • Suspended players include Olympian Gaganjeet Bhullar and other prominent names like Aman Raj
  • Players were not part of the conflicting PGTI Chennai Open entry list
  • The PGTI Disciplinary Committee issued suspensions before a full enquiry
  • Golfers allege unfair targeting as PGTI members played in other rival events
2 min read

PGTI suspends country's 17 top golfers, suspension sparks outrage

PGTI suspends 17 golfers including Olympian Gaganjeet Bhullar for playing in a rival IGPL tournament, sparking legal action and accusations of unfair targeting.

"Players expressed that they have been unfairly targeted by PGTI - Article Source"

New Delhi, September 23

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has suspended 17 professional golfers for participating in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Invitational Tournament at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, between September 17 and September 19.

The suspension list includes some of the most prominent names in Indian golf. Bhullar, one of India's most successful golfers, has represented the country at the Olympic Games and is a multiple-time Asian Tour winner. His suspension, alongside players such as Aman Raj, Harendra Gupta, Karandeep Kochhar and Sachin Baisoya, has led to distress across the golfing community.

Players are now considering approaching the judiciary to restore fairness and uniformity within PGTI. There have already been two cases filed by players before the Delhi High Court, the most recent being one by Ranjeet Singh and Kapil Kumar.

The move has drawn severe criticism as the players were not even part of the entry or waiting list of the Chennai Open conducted by PGTI on the same dates.

Being outside the Chennai Open entry list, the players participated in the IGPL event. However, the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) of PGTI, comprising five members, issued show cause notices and simultaneously passed suspension orders. It was reported by players that the DAC had overreached its authority, as it has no power to issue interim suspension orders prior to the completion of a full enquiry.

Players expressed that they have been unfairly targeted by PGTI for participating in IGPL tournaments, whereas many players, including members of the Governing Body and members of the DAC themselves, also participated in a tournament held in Pune on the same dates as the PGTI Tournament Next Gen.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The double standards are clear here. How can DAC members participate in other tournaments but suspend players for doing the same? This reeks of hypocrisy and needs judicial intervention.
S
Sarah B
As someone new to following Indian golf, this seems like an administrative power struggle that's hurting the sport. Players should have freedom to participate where they want, especially when they weren't even in the Chennai Open list.
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Arjun K
PGTI is shooting itself in the foot. Instead of creating a healthy competitive environment, they're driving away talent. Hope the courts intervene and restore some sanity. Indian golf deserves better!
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Kavya N
While I support players' rights, there must be some discipline in sports administration. However, suspending players without proper enquiry is definitely not the way. PGTI should follow due process.
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Michael C
This kind of administrative overreach hurts the growth of golf in India. When players like Bhullar are treated this way, what message does it send to young golfers? Very disappointing from PGTI.

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