Luke Donald, the two-time European Ryder Cup-winning captain, and Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open champion, will return to the second edition of the India Championship, set to be played at the Delhi Golf Club from 15 to 18 October 2026. The $4 million event, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), forms part of the critical Back 9 phase of the 2026 Race to Dubai.

A Star-Studded Return to Delhi

Donald, who guided Team Europe to Ryder Cup victories in Rome in 2023 and New York in 2025, will be making his second appearance at the tournament after debuting at last year's inaugural edition. The Englishman became only the second European captain after Tony Jacklin to lead Europe to both home and away Ryder Cup wins. He is now preparing for another captaincy assignment at Adare Manor, Ireland, in 2027.

Lowry, who finished tied third in the inaugural edition in 2025, returns with a clear ambition to go one better. “I was pleased with how the week went at the India Championship last year, and the fans gave us such a warm welcome. It was enjoyable to be part of the first edition of the event, and I look forward to more of the same this October,” he said.

World-Class Field Taking Shape

The field is expected to feature some of the biggest names in global golf, including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, two-time reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Major winner Justin Rose, newly crowned Open champion Ryan Fox, and Viktor Hovland. The assembled lineup makes this one of the strongest fields ever seen at a golf tournament on Indian soil.

Donald said he was eager to return. “It’s a privilege to be able to play golf all over the world, and I really enjoyed my first experience of Delhi last year. It’s shaping up to be another incredible India Championship field, and I look forward to teeing it up alongside so many European Ryder Cup players in particular,” he said.

What the Tournament Means for Indian Golf

The India Championship was launched in 2025 by a global smart logistics provider in partnership with the DP World Tour, offering the largest prize purse for any DP World Tour event held in India. The second edition is scheduled as the eighth of nine tournaments in the Back 9 segment, making it a crucial penultimate stop before the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai in November 2026.

Hemant Kumar Ruia, DP World's Country Manager for the Indian subcontinent, said the tournament reflects the company's long-term commitment to Indian sport. “India has been a key market for DP World for more than three decades, and our support for the India Championship reflects that long-term commitment. The remarkable growth of golf in India over recent years reinforces our confidence in the future of the sport and its potential to inspire the next generation of players,” he said.

Race to Dubai Implications

With Race to Dubai points on the line at every Back 9 event, the India Championship carries significant weight for players chasing the season title. Alongside the long-established Indian Open, the tournament further cements India's standing on the global professional golf circuit. Fans have been invited to register their interest in tickets ahead of the event.

As the field continues to take shape, the Delhi Golf Club is set to host another high-stakes week of competition that could have a decisive bearing on who lifts the 2026 Race to Dubai trophy.