India Championship 2026: Three Major champions to compete at Delhi Golf Club for first time
Synopsis
For the first time in India, three reigning Major champions — Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox, and Aaron Rai — will share a tee sheet at the India Championship from 15–18 October at the Delhi Golf Club. With eight top-20 players and a defending champion in Tommy Fleetwood, this is the deepest and most globally significant field ever assembled for a golf event in India.
Key Takeaways
The India Championship 2026 runs from 15 to 18 October at Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi .
For the first time ever in India, three reigning Major champions — Rory McIlroy , Ryan Fox , and Aaron Rai — will compete in the same tournament.
The field includes eight players from the world's top 20, including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood , Viktor Hovland , Shane Lowry , and Luke Donald .
Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri headline the home challenge, with around 27 Indian players in the field.
Aaron Rai , who has Indian heritage, called the tournament 'a lot to look forward to' given his family's connections to India.
The India Championship is set to make history as three reigning Major champions — Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox, and Aaron Rai — prepare to compete together on Indian soil for the very first time, at the Delhi Golf Club from 15 to 18 October 2026. The second edition of the tournament will also feature eight players from the world's top 20, marking a significant leap in global star power for what is rapidly becoming one of the premier fixtures on India's golfing calendar.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Golf
Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) CEO and Delhi Golf Club captain Amandeep Johl described the convergence of three reigning Major winners as unprecedented in Indian golf history. 'For the first time in India, three reigning major championship winners will play together in one golf tournament. Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai, who are three Major champions, will be here. This is a very big thing for Indian golf,' Johl said.
McIlroy, the Career Grand Slam winner, headlines the field alongside Fox, winner of the 2026 Open Championship, and Rai, who claimed his maiden Major title at the PGA Championship earlier this year. This marks the first time all three have shared a tee sheet in India.
Aaron Rai's Personal Connection to India
Aaron Rai, who carries Indian and Kenyan heritage, has previously expressed personal anticipation about his India Championship debut. 'I'm excited to travel to Delhi for the India Championship this year. I've heard a lot about the event, and with connections to India throughout my family, there is a lot to look forward to across the week,' Rai said ahead of the tournament.
His participation adds an emotional dimension to the event — Rai's Indian roots mean this is not simply a marquee professional appearance but a homecoming of sorts for one of the game's newest Major champions.
Star-Studded Field Beyond the Top Three
The field extends well beyond the three Major champions. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood returns to defend his title, joined by Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, and Patrick Reed. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Viktor Hovland, and Min Woo Lee also feature in an exceptionally deep lineup.
On the home front, Indian stalwarts Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will spearhead the domestic challenge, with approximately 27 Indian players expected to tee off over the four days.
The Delhi Golf Club Challenge
Johl also underscored the distinct character of the Delhi Golf Club course, hinting that even the world's best will need to think carefully off the tee. 'Delhi Golf Club has one of the most unique golf courses in the entire world, and the setting is such that the players are afraid to take out the driver earlier,' he said.
The course, nestled amid historical surroundings in the heart of New Delhi, is known for its tree-lined fairways and challenging approach angles — a layout that rewards precision over power and has historically produced gripping finishes.
What to Watch
With the second edition building on the momentum of its debut, organisers will be hoping a packed field and a quality course translate into high viewership and growing grassroots interest in Indian golf. The India Championship tees off on 15 October 2026 and concludes on 18 October 2026 at the Delhi Golf Club.
Point of View
Broadcast reach, and sponsorship depth. Marquee fields attract eyeballs once; institutions are built on what happens between the tournaments. PGTI's ability to lock in this calibre of field two editions in a row suggests leverage — but the harder work of converting that into grassroots growth remains largely unaddressed in public discourse.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India Championship 2026 being held?
The India Championship 2026 is scheduled from 15 to 18 October 2026 at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi. It is the second edition of the tournament organised by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
Which Major champions are playing at the India Championship 2026?
Three reigning Major champions — Rory McIlroy (Career Grand Slam winner), Ryan Fox (2026 Open Championship), and Aaron Rai (2026 PGA Championship) — are all set to compete at the India Championship. This is the first time all three will play together on Indian soil.
Who are the other notable players in the India Championship field?
The field includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Viktor Hovland, and Min Woo Lee, among others. Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri lead the home challenge, with approximately 27 Indian players expected to feature.
Why is Aaron Rai's participation in the India Championship particularly significant?
Aaron Rai, who won his maiden Major at the 2026 PGA Championship, carries Indian and Kenyan heritage, giving his debut at the India Championship a personal dimension beyond professional competition. He has spoken about his family's connections to India and his excitement about competing in the country.
What makes Delhi Golf Club a unique venue for the India Championship?
PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl has described Delhi Golf Club as one of the most unique courses in the world, noting that its design discourages aggressive driving off the tee. Its tree-lined fairways and challenging layout are expected to test even the world's top players during the four-day event.
