Haotong Li (from left), Elvis Smylie, DPWT chief executive Guy Kinnings, DPW deputy CEO and CFO Yuvraj Narayan, Daniel van Otterdijk pf DPW, Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai at the announcement of the extended partnership between DP World and the European Tour in Dubai on Tuesday, Image courtesy DPWT.
By Rahul Banerji
Building on its success and the enthusiasm of Indian fans, the DP World India Championship will return in 2026, aiming to become a regular fixture on the DP World (European) Tour calendar.
In a statement on Tuesday ahead of the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai, the Tour said, “The event highlights DP World’s shared vision to expand the game’s reach in emerging markets.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood won the inaugural edition of the $4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club and the event’s return next year has now been officially confirmed.
On the day, DP World also extended its association with the European Tour till 2035 which has instituted an annual award named for Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy that will go to the best-performing DPWT member at golf’s four majors.
Said McIlroy on the occasion about his first India visit, “I enjoyed it, I don’t know if I have one lasting memory. I guess I’ll remember not hitting driver for four days.
Great memories
“But the hospitality, the welcome, the generosity of the people there, it was absolutely amazing.
“I would say the Diwali party on the Friday night and being able to spend some time with Sachin Tendulkar, that was a pretty big highlight.”
Speaking of the award set up in his name, McIlroy said, “McIlroy said: “To have something named after you, that will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honour and it is very humbling.
“It certainly means a lot to me because the DP World Tour was where I started my career. I’ve always loved playing on it and, of course, representing Europe and the Tour in the Ryder Cup.
“I’m incredibly proud to be the first European to achieve the career Grand Slam. The majors represent the pinnacle of our sport, and I hope my success can inspire other DP World Tour members to chase and achieve their own dreams for years to come.”
Buoyed by the success of its Delhi event, DPW deputy CEO and CFO Yuvraj Narayan said, “New events such as the recent DP World India Championship show how we are supporting the game’s growth and accessibility for the long term.
“Our partnership with the DP World Tour reflects how sport can connect markets and communities, just as we do through global trade.
Long-term investment
“This long-term investment demonstrates our belief in the Tour’s future and our commitment to making golf more inclusive and sustainable.”
Under the new partnership agreement, the largest in the tour’s history, DP World will continue as title partner and official logistics partner until 2035.
In 2025, the DP World Tour had 42 tournaments in 26 countries with record prize funds and an expanding fan base, making golf more global and better connected, the statement said.
Added DPWT chief executive Guy Kinnings, “The first stage of our relationship has been focused on raising awareness globally of the DP World brand and building a strong pipeline of new business leads for their sector-leading services.
“Over the past four years, that has been a tremendous success.
“The partnership has also evolved and will see DP World continue to become an integral cog in delivering our global tournament schedule, utilising their supply chain expertise.
“This is a truly integrated partnership that will continue to deepen over the next decade.”
Pole position
On Sunday, the final day of the season-ending Rolex Series event, the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned with McIlroy handily leading England’s Marco Penge in the standings.
If he defends the 767-point lead over Penge into success, it would give the Northern Irishman his fourth successive Harry Vardon Trophy and a seventh in all, one behind all-time winner Colin Montgomerie of Scotland
With 2,000 points going to to the winner at Jumeirah Golf Estates this weekend, McIlroy knows victory is not a foregone conclusion but he wants to continue moving up a list that contains some illustrious names including Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros.
“To move from six to seven titles, to go one past Seve would be amazing. To get one closer to Monty (Montgomerie) would be amazing.
“But I think when I say I’m not chasing anything, I think if I focus my energy on certain tournaments and try to play well at certain tournaments, then the Race to Dubai almost just sort of takes care of itself.”
Also read: Rai pips Fleetwood in HSBC playoff for second Rolex Series title
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