Domestic Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar feels next month’s DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club could be a game-changer for the Indian golf ecosystem. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Saptak Talwar, India’s current leader on the DP World PGTI Tour rankings, feels the next few weeks could be life-changing for him and an opportunity to reach the next level in the sport.
The crucial week for him and 23 other Indians will be the $4 million DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18.
The tournament not only boasts of a massive purse, but could also decide the topper of the domestic Order of Merit now called the ‘Race to DP World India Championship’.
Following a landmark arrangement between the PGTI and the DP World Tour, the winner of the domestic Indian Order of Merit will get a full status on the Wentworth-based Tour.
The arrangement is also the latest marker of the investment global logistics provider DP World has made in Indian golf.
Talwar currently holds a lead of more than Rs. 20 lakh over Jhared Hack of the US, but the latter is unlikely to play any more events over the next few weeks in India.
Big advantage
Talwar is also more than Rs. 30 lakh ahead of the next best Indian, Honey Baisoya.
Yet Talwar says, “The DP World PGTI Order of Merit is not a done deal. With the OOM finishing at DGC, anything can happen.
“The DP World India Championship prize purse is $4 million. So, the top Indian golfer could well walk away with the Merit honours by doing well at DGC. And I see no reason why one of us cannot do that.”
However, Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI confirmed, “Only one-fourth of that prize money won will be counted towards the DP World PGTI Order of Merit.”
Talwar added, “I am also missing the Tour Championships (at Jaypee Greens) as I am off to Asian Games in Japan that week. So, the DPWIC can be a life-changer for me and many other Indian players.”
Talwar’s compatriots Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will also be playing at DP World India Championship this year.
Talwar, who early in his career, also played on the Canadian Tour, has now decided to try and top the DP World PGTI OOM to get into the DPWT in 2027.
Asiad opportunity
There has been further recognition in the form of a place in the Asian Games team in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, alongside Yuvraj Sandhu and Veer Ahlawat, who preceded him as DPWT card-winners in 2026 and 2025.
This season Talwar has gained experience on the HotelPlanner Tour, the second rung in Europe. At one point he had two possibly pathways to the DP World Tour for 2027.
“I had set myself a goal or threshold to try for a card through HPT, but when I was not inside that I decided to get back to India and play the DP World PGTI, where I was leading,” says Talwar.
“Then there is the event at Delhi Golf Club which is close to my heart and for many others in India.
“I literally grew up on the B course, have seen every big event. As a junior I attended many of the clinics by world class players like Ernie Els and others.
“So, to be playing alongside the likes of Masters winners, Major champions and PGA Tour players is a great opportunity for us to showcase Indian talent.”
Game-changer
While admitting that the current Indian pros have not won as much as the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal, Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and others, Talwar added, “This event is a game-changer for Indian golf.
“This could a catalyst. In 10 years, we will see this as the one that changed the landscape of Indian golf.”
“We have a number of good players, but they have not translated talent into wins. One win could ignite that fire and then we will have a big bunch of winners.”
Also read: Masters winners Watson, Reed set for DP World India C’ship
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