New Delhi, October 14: Indian golfers are preparing for a major test against some of the world’s leading players at the DP World India Championship 2026, scheduled to begin on Thursday at the Delhi Golf Club.
Experienced professionals Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will lead a 27-member Indian contingent in the USD 4 million tournament, which brings together an international field featuring seven Major champions, including Rory McIlroy. A total of 144 golfers are expected to compete in the championship. <escape>Source: DD News</escape>
Co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the tournament offers Indian professionals an opportunity to compete against established international names on home soil.
Shubhankar Sharma Arrives After Recent Victory
Shubhankar Sharma enters the competition with renewed confidence after winning the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship in Greater Noida last week.
The two-time DP World Tour winner said his recent victory helped him regain momentum ahead of the prestigious event. He highlighted the importance of returning to the fundamentals of his game and expressed his ambition to compete for the title in front of Indian spectators.
His recent performance will provide encouragement as he prepares to face a strong international field at the Delhi Golf Club.
Anirban Lahiri Looks to Regain Form
Anirban Lahiri will return to competitive action following a seven-week break, during which he focused on fitness, recovery and mental preparation.
Reflecting on his recent season, Lahiri acknowledged that he had been dissatisfied with his performances but said he was feeling refreshed and mentally prepared for the challenge.
The golfer also has a long association with the Delhi Golf Club, having first competed there in a C-category tournament in 1999.
Gaganjeet Bhullar will be another key Indian contender. He heads into the championship after winning the Krishna Invitational Hyderabad, securing his fifth AM Green IGPL title and his second of the 2026 season.
Other Indian players in the field include Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, Veer Ahlawat and Yuvraj Sandhu.
Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood Head International Field
The international line-up features several prominent names from professional golf, led by Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood.
McIlroy, a Career Grand Slam winner, will be among the major attractions at the tournament. The field also includes Major champions Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and Shane Lowry.
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has expressed enthusiasm about competing in India, noting the challenge presented by the Delhi Golf Club and the passion of Indian golf fans.
US PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai is also set to make his debut at the event. Other international participants include Grant Forrest, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Viktor Hovland and Min Woo Lee.
The gathering of established champions and emerging contenders is expected to provide a competitive test across the four-day championship.
Important Opportunity for Indian Professional Golf
Beyond the title and prize money, the championship offers Indian professionals an opportunity to measure their performances against leading international players.
The event also strengthens India’s presence on the global golf calendar by bringing an international tournament to one of the country’s established golfing venues.
Scheduled from October 15 to 18, the DP World India Championship carries a prize fund of USD 4 million. Its partnership between the DP World Tour and the DP World PGTI connects India’s domestic professional circuit with international competition.
With experienced Indian players, emerging domestic talent and renowned international champions sharing the course, attention will be on how the home contingent performs against the global field in New Delhi.