As the clock runs down to the announced Feb 21st starting date for the first edition of the The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) New fortnight long League, the body has announced the player auction will take place on February 16th in the capital as 6 teams get to select 10 players each from a total pool of 170 players.
Sixty players will be picked across six franchises, each selecting 10 golfers from a total auction purse of ₹1 crore per team. Players have been graded into Platinum (top 30 from the 2025 Order of Merit), Gold (ranked 31–60), and Silver categories.
The league begins February 21, with finals scheduled for March 6, and will be played across Classic Golf & Country Club, Jaypee Greens and Qutab Golf Course. PGTI has partnered with Game of Life Sports (GOLS) for the league. The format promises fast-paced, made-for-TV match play, alongside Pro-Am events and fan engagement initiatives.
However, questions remain.
So far, only two franchises have been officially announced, with four still to be revealed. Prize money details are yet to be clarified, though industry chatter suggests franchises could be asked to spend ₹5–7 crore annually. Whether the model proves commercially sustainable will depend heavily on broadcast partnerships, marketing scale and the ability to build recognisable star players — traditionally the pillars of league success in India and globally.
There is also a strategic undertone. The move appears timed ahead of the long-discussed Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), which has yet to launch in franchise format despite conversations over the past two years.
For now, the opportunity is significant — and the players stand to benefit if the league finds long-term footing.
Photo – PGTI
