Greater Noida, Feb 27 (NationPress) At just 16 years old, the exceptionally gifted Kartik Singh has already made a strong case for being labeled the "future superstar of Indian golf". Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar, at 61, understands that his prime is behind him, yet nothing brings him more joy than outplaying competitors half his age on the golf course.

Kartik stands out as the youngest participant in PGTI’s 72 The League, a revolutionary team and league tournament that commenced at Classic Golf & Country Resort on Tuesday. Conversely, Mukesh is the oldest competitor, nearly four times Kartik’s age.

Despite their significant age gap, the enthusiasm for this innovative format in the PGTI calendar is unmistakable as they compete for different teams—Kartik representing the Mumbai Aces and Mukesh donning the colors of Kolkata Classics.

While both players would relish the chance to defeat one another, their mutual respect shines through, as they recognize each other’s talent.

“The way this boy plays, he will create a lot of mayhem very soon,” Mukesh remarked. “He won’t let anyone win on the PGTI Tour. Even at his age, he exhibits remarkable maturity and experience. To me, he doesn’t look like a rookie; he looks like a seasoned competitor.”

Kartik responded, “I aspire to play golf like him when I reach 61. His ability to consistently qualify for tournaments demonstrates that he remains highly competitive. His mental fortitude and self-belief are commendable, not to mention his extensive experience.”

In the tournament, a fresh addition to the PGTI Tour, Kartik has already showcased his skill by fiercely battling against American player Jhared Hack, managing to halve his match. Hack, 36, is currently in excellent form, having secured his card with a runner-up finish in the Q-School, followed by a victory at the season-opening SECL Chhattisgarh Open with a stunning final-round score of 59.

Despite losing his singles match in the opening round, Mukesh remains undeterred.

“I find myself 20-30 yards behind these younger players. But does that mean I will quit golf? I may not be able to outdrive others, but I can certainly refine my short game more effectively. I genuinely believe I can make par on any hole, regardless of length. That’s a strategic advantage in team golf; my partner can rely on me,” Mukesh stated.

“I’m thrilled about this new tournament. It highlights the growth of the DP World PGTI Tour over the years. I recall competing for purses as low as INR20,000 (US$220) in the 1980s. Now, we’re playing for purses like INR2 crores (nearly US$220,000) domestically. This new league format is excellent for players, and I hope it benefits team owners as well.”

For Kartik, this marks his first complete season on the Tour, and he expressed excitement about participating in 72 The League.

“I’ve been part of several teams over the past couple of years, including the Bonallack Trophy last year in the UAE. I truly enjoy the team setting. Firstly, you learn so much from other team members, and secondly, you forge lifelong friendships when you spend so much time together,” Kartik explained.

When asked how he would approach a match against Mukesh, Kartik replied: “That would be incredibly enjoyable. Honestly, I’ll just concentrate on my game and give it my all, knowing I can't underestimate someone like him.”

The tournament will continue at Classic Golf & Country Club for the remaining two rounds on March 2 and 3, with the finals set for March 6 at Qutab Golf Club.