GolfPlus Aug 2018 Digital Edition (August 2018) | Page 61

In what can be described as a landmark moment for Indian golf, the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the offi cial sanctioning body for men’s professional golf in India, has been approved for inclusion in the Offi cial World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. A t its recent meeting during the 147th Open Championship, the Governing Board of the OWGR approved the inclusion of the PGTI into the OWGR system. PGTI’s elevation to OWGR status means that all its events will carry world ranking points from the 2019 season onward. This moves PGTI into the elite list of tours that are eligible for world ranking points. The list currently includes 20 established tours from across the globe such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, PGA Tour Australasia and Sunshine Tour, to name a few. The PGTI will be introduced to the OWGR at a minimum level of 5 ¿ rst place points for their tournaments that are played over 72 holes. Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “The inclusion of PGTI in the OWGR system is a game-changer for Indian golf. We see it as the international gol¿ ng fraternity’s recognition of PGTI’s sustained growth since its inception 12 years ago and its emergence as the premier tour of the South Asian region. The several accomplishments of our professionals on the global stage have been a key factor in raising India’s stature to a major power- centre of Asian golf that has in turn drawn the attention of international bodies such as the OWGR. “The PGTI, under the astute leadership of its President, Mr. Gautam Thapar, had made focused efforts towards aligning itself with the OWGR system over the last few years which included the all-important decision of making the PGTI an ‘Open Tour’ from the 2018 season onward. Our persistence towards the cause has borne fruit as the decision to transform into an ‘Open Tour’ has paved the way for approval of world ranking points for the tour. “The tour is now set to become more competitive than ever before as world ranking points will ensure better ¿ elds at all events and also attract quality international talent. We thank the Asian Tour for their support and guidance through the application process. The timing of the GolfPlus OWGR approval couldn’t have been better, as the Olympics, that also have a world ranking criteria for quali¿ cation, are not too far away in 2020.” This major development is one of the most important milestones achieved by the PGTI in its 12-year long journey so far. The PGTI came into existence in 2006 and staged 10 events in its inaugural 2006-07 season with a combined prize purse of Rs. 4.6 crore. Over the next decade, the PGTI embarked on a path of positive growth as it emerged as the biggest tour in South Asia. In 2017, the prize money on offer had risen to Rs. 10.5 crore and the average number of events had gone up to 20. PGTI has expanded its geographical footprint with each passing year as tournaments have been staged across 17 States and one Union Territory in India as well as in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. This year the PGTI is slated to co-sanction ¿ ve international tournaments in India, two in partnership wi th the Asian Tour and three AUGUST 2018 69