DP World India Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood of England on the 18th green at Delhi Golf Club with his son Frankie last October. Image courtesy DPWIC.
By Rahul Banerji
Tommy Fleetwood will return to the Delhi Golf Club to defend his $4 million DP World India Championship title from October 15 to 18, it was announced on Tuesday.
Fleetwood beat a world-class field at last year’s inaugural edition that included world number two Rory McIlroy for his eighth DP World Tour title, the tour said in a statement.
The Delhi result came amidst an eventful late run for Fleetwood, who also won the FedExCup on the PGA Tour, and was part of the European Ryder Cup team that beat the USA away for the first time since 2012.
“I had an incredible week at the DP World India Championship last season,” Fleetwood said.
“There is so much to enjoy about being in India, from the warmth of the people, the atmosphere in the city, to the food, and playing at such a challenging and strategic course.
“But what made the week particularly special for me was having my family there to celebrate the win on Sunday.”
The Olympic silver medallist thrilled the crowds at Delhi Golf Club with a brilliant burst of scoring around the turn on Sunday to put himself in title contention.
Closing burst
Birdies on holes 14 and 17 sealed a two-shot victory and sparked emotional scenes on the 18th green as Fleetwood celebrated a tournament win with son Frankie for the first time, before lifting the Lotus Trophy.
Global logistics giant DP World and the DP World Tour launched the $4,000,000 event last year that is co-sanctioned with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India.
It features the largest prize fund ever offered for a DP World Tour event in India and will once again take its place as part of the crucial Back 9 phase of the Race to Dubai.
“Thanks go to DP World, who are such huge supporters of our sport, for helping to grow the game in India with this tournament,” Fleetwood added.
“It was a pleasure to tee it up in the inaugural event as part of such an incredible field and I look forward to more of the same in October.”
The tournament builds on the success of the long-running Hero Indian Open and further boosts the Tour’s momentum in the region.
Broader footprint
As the Tour’s title partner since 2022, and after becoming the title and official umbrella partner of the PGTI this year, the tournament complements DP World’s broader sporting footprint in India.
Said Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD – Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant and Egypt, DP World, “The DP World India Championship continues to strengthen India’s presence on the global golfing calendar.
“Welcoming Tommy Fleetwood back to defend his title underscores the tournament’s growing stature. Through our partnership with the DP World Tour and the PGTI, we are proud to create opportunities for Indian players to compete alongside the world’s best and inspire the next generation of talent.”
The DPWIC will be the eighth of nine events in the Back 9 phase of the Race to Dubai, building towards the DP World Tour Play-Offs and DP World Tour Championship in November at Dubai.
Also read: Doting dad Fleetwood wins DP World India C’ship for son Frankie
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