PGTI NexGen golf debut in Varanasi from June 16 at BLW Greens
Synopsis
Professional golf arrives in Varanasi for the first time as DP World PGTI's NexGen tour touches down at BLW Greens from June 16–18, 2026. With ₹25 lakh on offer, Order of Merit implications, and a 15-year-old in the field, this is more than a regional debut — it is the tour's clearest signal yet that Indian golf is moving beyond its traditional metros.
Key Takeaways
DP World PGTI NexGen makes its first-ever appearance in Varanasi at BLW Greens from 16–18 June 2026 .
The event carries a prize purse of ₹25 lakh and features a field of 72 players .
Sunit Chowrasia , the 2026 NexGen Order of Merit leader , heads a strong field that includes 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir .
Local players Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav will compete on home ground.
The NexGen Order of Merit winner earns a main-tour exemption for the 2026 DP World PGTI season .
The Pro-Am curtain-raiser on 14 June was won by the team of Pankaj Maandiya , Manoj Manjhi , Ritesh Singh , and Amit Verma .
The Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) will stage its first-ever tournament in Varanasi when the sixth edition of the NexGen season tees off at BLW Greens golf course from 16 to 18 June 2026. The three-day event carries a prize purse of ₹25 lakh and marks a significant geographic expansion of professional golf in India.
Tournament Format and Prize Structure
The event will be contested over 54 holes across three rounds, with a cut applied after 36 holes. The top-36 players and ties will advance to the third and final round. A field of 72 players has been assembled for the competition.
Notably, the winner of this year's NexGen Order of Merit will earn a direct exemption onto the main DP World PGTI tour for the 2026 season, making each NexGen event a high-stakes stepping stone for emerging professionals.
Key Players to Watch
The field features several prominent names. Sunit Chowrasia, the current 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit leader, heads the contenders alongside Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Bipin Mukhiya, Abhishek Kumar, Aditya Raj Singh Chahal, and Vinay Kumar Yadav. Among the most closely watched entrants is 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir, whose participation underscores the tour's youth development mandate.
Two local players — Imam-ul-Haq and Hemant Yadav — will represent Varanasi on home turf, adding a community dimension to the professional field.
What the Organisers Said
Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI, described the debut as a proud milestone. '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,' he said.
Anurag Gupta, Secretary of BLW Greens, called it a landmark for local golf. '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,' Gupta said.
Pro-Am Curtain-Raiser
The tournament was preceded by a Pro-Am event on 14 June, won by the team of professional Pankaj Maandiya and amateurs Manoj Manjhi, Ritesh Singh, and Amit Verma. The winning team received their prizes from Anurag Gupta at the BLW Greens venue.
With Varanasi now on the DP World PGTI calendar, the tour's push into non-traditional golfing cities is expected to accelerate, with organisers signalling intent to inspire grassroots participation in the region.
Point of View
Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where golf infrastructure and corporate sponsorship are concentrated. Taking a professional event to an Uttar Pradesh city with limited golfing tradition tests whether the NexGen format can genuinely seed the sport in new markets, or whether it remains a one-off showcase. The inclusion of a 15-year-old and two local professionals in the field is the right optic, but sustained grassroots impact will depend on whether the PGTI returns to Varanasi beyond this debut season.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PGTI NexGen event in Varanasi?
It is the sixth event of the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen season, being played at BLW Greens golf course in Varanasi from 16 to 18 June 2026. The tournament carries a prize purse of ₹25 lakh and features 72 players competing over 54 holes.
Why is the Varanasi PGTI event significant?
It marks the first time the Professional Golf Tour of India has held a tournament in Varanasi, extending professional golf beyond its traditional metropolitan strongholds. The event also places Varanasi on the national golfing calendar for the first time.
Who are the top players competing in the Varanasi NexGen event?
Sunit Chowrasia, the current 2026 NexGen Order of Merit leader, heads the field alongside Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Bipin Mukhiya, Abhishek Kumar, Aditya Raj Singh Chahal, and Vinay Kumar Yadav. Fifteen-year-old Arjunveer Shishir is also in the field.
What does the NexGen Order of Merit winner receive?
The winner of the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit earns a direct exemption onto the main DP World PGTI tour for the 2026 season, making each NexGen event a critical qualifying opportunity for young professionals.
What is the tournament format at BLW Greens Varanasi?
The event is played over three rounds totalling 54 holes, with a cut applied after the first two rounds (36 holes). The top-36 players and ties advance to the third and final round.
