Some of the best players in the world will once again tee it up at Delhi Golf Club in the highly-anticipated $4,000,000 event – with Hovland and Fox joining a trio of European Ryder Cup stars in defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, back-to-back Masters winner Rory McIlroy and Major champion Justin Rose.

Viktor Hovland. Douglas P. DeFelice

Hovland returns for his second appearance at the DP World India Championship, after finishing tied sixth on his debut last October.

The 28-year-old was the first player from Norway to win on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, and the three-time Ryder Cup player was part of Europe’s historic back-to-back wins in Rome in 2023 and New York last September.

He said: “I really enjoyed the experience at the DP World India Championship last year. We had a lot of fun both on and off the golf course, and the welcome we received everywhere we went was incredible, so I can’t wait to get back to Delhi in October.”

Ryan Fox – Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Four-time DP World Tour winner Fox will be making his professional debut in India when he tees it up at Delhi Golf Club this year. The New Zealander, who won twice on the PGA TOUR in 2025, is defending his RBC Canadian Open title this week.

Fox – who won the 2022 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals on the DP World Tour – said: “I’m excited to play in India for the first time, and especially after hearing such great things about the DP World India Championship. It sounds like a fantastic event, played on an interesting, historic course, and I’m looking forward to everything about the week.”

Global smart logistics provider DP World and the DP World Tour launched the DP World India Championship in 2025. Co-sanctioned with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the tournament features the largest prize fund ever offered for a DP World Tour event in India and will once again take its place as part of the crucial Back 9 phase of the Race to Dubai.

“India remains one of DP World’s most strategic markets, and we continue to deepen our commitment through sustained investment in world-class logistics and trade infrastructure that supports the country’s growth ambitions. Our integrated network today handles nearly a quarter of India’s EXIM container volumes, and the upcoming mega container terminal at Tuna-Tekra will further strengthen India’s global trade connectivity while unlocking new opportunities for our customers and partners.

“The DP World India Championship embodies that same commitment to excellence and global ambition. By bringing world-class players such as Ryan Fox and Viktor Hovland to Delhi this October, we are raising the tournament’s profile, accelerating the growth of golf in India, and cementing the Championship’s place as a standout event on the international sporting calendar,” said Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager, (India) Subcontinent, DP World. 

The launch of the second edition of the DP World India Championship underscores India’s growing influence as a destination for elite golf and as a strategic market for DP World. The new tournament follows the success of the long-running Hero Indian Open and further boosts the Tour’s momentum in the region.

As the Tour’s title partner since 2022, and after becoming the Title and Official Umbrella Partner of the PGTI earlier this year, the tournament complements DP World’s broader sporting footprint in India, which includes partnerships with the Delhi Capitals, and grassroots programmes like the Second Life Container initiative and ‘Balls for Birdies’ campaign – both of which involve DP World donating golf balls, using its smart logistics network, to help grow the game and make it more accessible.

The DP World India Championship will be the eighth of nine events in the Back 9 phase of the 2026 Race to Dubai, building towards the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs and culminating in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

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European Ryder Cup star Fleetwood makes a long-awaited return to India for the inaugural DP World India Championship, teeing it up in Delhi for the first time since 2016.

Hear from Tommy on the #DPWIC pic.twitter.com/WS3WJZu5xC

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The Englishman was named European Number One after topping the Race to Dubai Rankings in 2017, and the following year made a memorable Ryder Cup debut in Paris, winning four points out of five to help his side to victory. He has gone on to represent Europe twice more, delivering the winning moment in Rome in 2023 in his 3&1 victory over Rickie Fowler.

 

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Fleetwood is also passionate about giving back to the game – establishing the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Formby Hall in England, where he grew up playing the game, and at the DP World Golf Performance Centre at Jumeirah Golf Estates in his adopted home of Dubai.

Global smart logistics provider DP World and the DP World Tour launched the DP World India Championship this season. Co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the $4 million tournament features the largest prize fund ever offered for a DP World Tour event in India, with an exciting field set to join Fleetwood and McIlroy in Delhi.

Fleetwood said: “I can’t wait to get back to Delhi for the DP World India Championship. It’s such an amazing place – the people, the food, I’m looking forward to soaking it all in. But mainly I’m aiming to play some good golf and entertain the Indian fans at an important point in the season.

“I’m also very much looking forward to playing at Delhi Golf Club again. I remember it as a tight, challenging, strategic golf course. I think it’s great leveller, where players with all styles of play can contend, so it should help to make for a very exciting week.

“DP World are such huge supporters of our sport – including the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, which I am so passionate about – and it’s fantastic to see them help to grow the game in India with this new event.”

TOMMY FLEETWOOD ANNOUNCED AS NEW DP WORLD AMBASSADOR

The DP World India Championship underscores India’s growing influence as a destination for elite golf and as a strategic market for DP World. The new tournament follows the success of the 2025 Hero Indian Open, won by Eugenio Chacarra, and further boosts the Tour’s momentum in the region.

As the Tour’s title partner since 2022, DP World is reaffirming its commitment to golf with this new tournament. It complements its broader sporting footprint in India, which includes partnerships with the Delhi Capitals, and grassroots programmes like the Second Life Container initiative and ‘Balls for Birdies’ campaign – both of which involve DP World donating golf balls, using its smart logistics network, to help grow the game and make it more accessible.

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer at DP World said: “India is a key part of our global business, and hosting a tournament of this scale reflects our long-term commitment to the country. With Rory McIlroy already confirmed, we’re pleased to have Tommy Fleetwood joining the field, adding to what promises to be a world-class lineup. The DP World India Championship will shine a global spotlight on India’s place in the world of professional golf, and we’re very proud to be bringing this international event to Delhi in October.”

The DP World India Championship will be the eighth of nine events in the ‘Back 9’ phase of the 2025 Race to Dubai, building towards the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs and culminating in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

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The 2025 Masters Tournament champion confirmed his status as a global golfing icon when he completed the career grand slam in memorable fashion in April, adding the Green Jacket to his four previous Major victories at the 2011 U.S. Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and The Open in 2014.

Rory McIlroy – 2024 DP World Tour Championship – Getty Images

The reigning Race to Dubai champion is set to bring star power to the inaugural DP World India Championship, taking place at Delhi Golf Club from October 16-19, 2025.

Global smart logistics provider DP World and the DP World Tour launched the DP World India Championship this season. Co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the $4 million tournament features the largest prize fund ever offered for a DP World Tour event in India, with an exciting field set to gather in Delhi.

McIlroy said: “I’m excited to not only tee it up in India for the first time but also visit a country that I’ve always wanted to explore.

“I’m proud to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship. I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule and as I have previously said, there is tremendous potential to grow golf further in the country. This is a great opportunity, and I can’t wait to play in front of Indian golf fans.”

Eugenio Chacarra – 2025 Hero Indian Open – Getty Images

The DP World India Championship underscores India’s growing influence as a destination for elite golf and as a strategic market for DP World. The announcement follows the success of the 2025 Hero Indian Open, won by Eugenio Chacarra, and further boosts the Tour’s momentum in the region.

As the Tour’s title partner since 2022, DP World is reaffirming its commitment to golf with this new tournament. It complements its broader sporting footprint in India, which includes partnerships with the Delhi Capitals, and grassroots programmes like the Second Life Container initiative and ‘Balls for Birdies’ campaign – both of which involve DP World donating golf balls, using its smart logistics network, to help grow the game and make it more accessible.

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer, DP World said, “We are delighted to welcome Rory McIlroy to the DP World India Championship. Having a player of his calibre underscores the commitment both we and the DP World Tour have to the success of this tournament.

“India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and DP World is committed to partnering India’s growth story with best-in-class infrastructure, expertise in global trade, and now, world-class sport. By bringing back the DP World Tour to India with the inaugural DP World India Championship, we are showcasing Delhi on the global sporting stage and creating a platform to inspire the next generation of talent. Rory will capture global attention, increase participation and position India as a premier destination for golf.

“Our mission to support the growth of golf from the grassroots remains central to our global golf vision, and hosting a global icon like Rory in India is a proud milestone in that journey.”

The DP World India Championship will be the eighth of nine events in the ‘Back 9’ phase of the 2025 Race to Dubai, building towards the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs and culminating in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

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The club’s championship course features two exceptional layouts: an 18-hole design by Gary Player and the original 9-hole course, crafted by Arnold Palmer.

The two nines on the 18-hole layout are very distinctive. The intimidating course is scattered with its renowned dramatic bunkering and is routed around two large lakes, featuring the Lakes Nine (1-9) and Quarry Nine (10-18).

Since the venue opened in 1999, DLF has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments, including the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic, a joint then European Tour and Asian Tour event, and the 2009 Hero Honda Indian Open, part of the Asian Tour. From 2010 to 2012, the club also served as the host venue for the Avantha Masters, a tournament co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour, and PGTI. While more recently, home to the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour and PGTI for the past five consecutive seasons.

RELATED: DeChambeau joins Niemann to headline International Series India at DLF Golf and Country Club

In addition to these, DLF Golf and Country Club has been a regular host of the Ladies European Tour, having staged seven consecutive events at the club.

Looking ahead to 2025, DLF Golf and Country Club will play a key role in the Asian Tour’s International Series, marking the series’ historic debut in India at the end of this month. The tournament, presented by DLF, headlined by home favourite Anirban Lahiri, will feature leading players from both the LIV Golf League and the Asian Tour.

This event serves as the opening tournament of the groundbreaking 2025 calendar across the Asian Tour and the International Series, highlighting the DLF Golf and Country Club’s continued work in international golf.

Main image: Tristan Jones / LET

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International golf course architects Lobb + Partners has been hired as a strategic partner for the design of multiple golf destinations across India with the PGA of America by Aivot Golf & Sports Management Private Limited, a newly founded organisation created by a group of Indian/American investors.

Golf has a long history in India — the subcontinent’s first course, Royal Calcutta, was established in 1829, the first in the world outside Scotland (before golf had even spread to England or Ireland), and in the modern age, there are approximately 300 courses across the country. But large-scale golf development has been slow to take off in India, despite the historical and cultural fit, because fragmented land ownership has made it difficult for potential developers to acquire suitable properties. Aivot, along with its partners, has ambitions to fix this, and transform the development of golf in India.

After signing the partnership agreement at the newly opened PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas, L+P founder and principal Tim Lobb said: “As a team we aspire to create world-class golf courses, academies, and outstanding hotel and residential amenities alongside them. This is massively exciting for Indian golf, and we are overjoyed to be involved.”

The golf facilities will be PGA-branded, and are planned to include a mix of courses, academies and training centres, where Indians, whether previously exposed to golf or not, can develop their skills and enjoy the game. A substantial number of developments are planned across the subcontinent, in cities and regions including Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Lucknow. The Mumbai, Goa and Hyderabad projects are slated to be first up.

“The Goa project will be a resort — ideal for an area that is a major tourist destination — but some of the others, nearer to major cities, will be integrated golf communities,” says Lobb. “Aivot is a very forward thinking and talented group aiming to achieve something new for golf in India.”

Aivot’s CEO Alok Tiwari says: “Our plans are hugely ambitious — we are trying to create a hub for innovation and excellence in golfer development for India. As such, we naturally need partners who provide the absolute best quality support available, and we are confident that, in the PGA of America and Lobb + Partners, we have just that.”

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