Arjun Malik (Coach at Zen GOLF Range & Academy), Hemant Kumar Ruia (Country Manager, DP World India Subcontinent), Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Shyam Grover, (MD of ZEN GOLF Range & Academy) pose with young golfers who attended the program
The inaugural DP World India Championship could become a catalyst for growing the game provided institutions, clubs and academies can carry forward the burst of national attention focused on the game during the tournament.
Crowds thronged the venue in good numbers, including hundreds of junior golfers — following a lineup of global superstars never before seen in India – Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Viktor Hovland – throughout the week, creating an electric atmosphere. The roars, applause and excitement marked the loudest buzz ever witnessed in Indian golf, signalling how global stars can captivate and inspire a new generation.
Beyond the competition, the event also spotlighted DP World’s long-term vision to grow the game at the grassroots level. The logistics leader brought its Clubhouse initiative to India for the first time, following its launch in South Africa earlier this year. Built from repurposed shipping containers, each Clubhouse serves as a sustainable community hub — offering youth access to training facilities, mentorship, and equipment.
Partnering with ZEN Golf Range & Academy in Gurugram, DP World established India’s first Clubhouse, while also unveiling a pop-up version at the Fan Zone inside DGC, giving visitors a taste of the initiative’s impact.
Together, the tournament’s world-class field and DP World’s community-driven investment created a powerful statement — that India is ready to embrace golf at every level. The week’s scenes of young fans cheering for their heroes reflect a sport on the rise — one where future Indian stars are already dreaming bigger than ever.