Anirban Lahiri (left to right), Aakash Ohri of DLF and International Series head Rahul Singh at the launch announcement on Wednesday.
By Rahul Banerji
LIV Golf will its presence felt via the inaugural International Series India tournament presented by the DLF Golf and Country Club in early 2025, it was announced on Wednesday.
The $2 million elevated event on the Asian Tour’s schedule for next year will serve as a lead-in to the LIV Golf 2025 schedule opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the following week.
Making the announcement on Wednesday, International Series head Rahul Singh said, “We’re looking forward to coming to India. It’s been speculated for a long time.
“We’re delighted to confirm today that the International Series India presented by DLF will be played at the DLF GCC from January 30 to February 2.
“It’s not just the opening tournament for the International Series but also the opening event across the LIV ecosystem which will hopefully allow for a number of players who are looking to prepare for LIV Golf Riyadh to also come to India.
“For us to be able to partner with DLF is a great validation of what the series is doing and how it’s growing and how it’s associating with the right partners globally.
“Over the next few days and weeks, we will be putting out the entire schedule and I hope to build on this as we progress.
Major draw
At the launch, on the sidelines of the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, LIV Golf League star Anirban Lahiri confirmed he would be in the field.
“It’s very exciting for me to be associated with this tournament on a personal front as well. I would love to bring some of my colleagues from LIV over.
“DLF has been such a wonderful host, not just recently. It goes back over 15 years, I think, where we’ve had some really amazing events, memorable events.
“And the goal would be obviously to have a really, really good field that would justify or showcase what we’re trying to do. And I’m looking forward to that.
Asked if a Bryson DeChambeau (captain of Crushers GC, Lahiri’s team) would be in the field, Lahiri added, “If he comes, there will be a lot of anticipation. There’ll be a lot of kids, a lot of amateurs…
“It creates that buzz. So yeah, hopefully, you know, it transpires and hopefully we create a similar buzz. Hopefully, we have kids and people, amateurs, golfers, and sports lovers who will descend to DLF and support the event.
“Speaking about this tournament, with the International Series and the way it’s scheduled the week before we start our season in Riyadh, my hope is a lot of my colleagues and compatriots who play on LIV are gonna use it to come and shake off some rust.
Golden opportunity
“And you may just end up seeing, you know, more major winners play together, it could be a golden opportunity for all the youngsters, for all the kids, the growth of golf in India.”
Added DLF joint managing director Aakash Ohri, “This groundbreaking partnership with LIV Golf and The International Series fits our outlook, bringing a best-in-class sporting event to India and showcasing our offering in and around DLF Golf and Country Club.
“We are confident the course will offer the world’s best a stern test, and we are looking forward to welcoming India’s golf fans – and sports fans from all over the world.
“Let this be just not a tournament. It should be a celebration. You know, so let once we have that, once we have solid endorsements, great viewership, I think it’ll pave the way for the bigger things that you all are saying.”
The January 30-February 2 event will also see the Asian Tour return to India for the first time in two years and tour commissioner Cho Minn Thant is upbeat about the outcome.
“The International Series events are blue-chip events on our calendar that are popular with players, and bringing the tour to India next year is a major milestone.”
Also read: Korea comes on board with Indianapolis in LIV Golf 2025 schedule
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