The inaugural edition of 72 The League, owned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), wrapped up with plenty of energy, experimentation and early lessons for what could become a new format for professional golf in India.
For a first attempt, the league delivered several strong elements. The concept of team based golf resonated well with the players, many of whom said the format brought a fresh competitive edge compared to traditional stroke play tournaments. The team dynamic, shared pressure and match play intensity created a different atmosphere on the course and inside the locker room.
The league also made an effort to create a broader entertainment ecosystem around golf. The player auction, team launch party, post week whisky samba gathering and a closing celebration at Piano Man helped create a festival-like environment. The final day being broadcast live on Europsort also gave the league a level of visibility rarely seen in domestic professional golf.
However, the first edition also highlighted areas that need significant improvement.
Several team owners were finalised barely a week before the start of the league, leaving them little time to secure sponsorships, activate partnerships or build fan engagement. As a result, commercial backing remained limited, something crucial for the long term sustainability of a franchise based model.
Spectator attendance was also modest. Despite the novelty of the format, the event saw very limited gallery presence, pointing to the need for stronger marketing and fan outreach.
Timing also played a role. The league ran during the ICC World Cup, which meant mainstream sports coverage in major newspapers was dominated by cricket, leaving little space for golf coverage.
Despite the challenges, the core concept appears to have worked. Players embraced the format and the competition produced lively contests.
For PGTI, the first season of 72 The League has provided a proof of concept. The next step will be building stronger commercial partnerships, earlier franchise planning and deeper fan engagement if the league is to grow into a sustainable property on India’s sporting calendar.
Photo – PGTI
