Bengaluru, April 2025 — The Kapil Dev – Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 kicked off today at the iconic Prestige Golfshire Club, Bengaluru, ushering in a new era of inclusivity and excitement in Indian golf. For the first time ever, India’s top male and female professionals are competing side by side for the same prize purse of INR 2 crores, making this a landmark moment for the sport.
Jointly presented by cricket legend Kapil Dev and premium consulting firm Grant Thornton Bharat, the tournament is being co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI). It is India’s first mixed-format professional golf tournament, setting a new benchmark for equality in competitive sport.
The tournament is unfolding with a 54 -hole championship format and a unique Pro-Am component, promising players and fans a compelling blend of elite competition and spirited engagement.
Here’s how the action is playing out:
- The 54-hole championship is running from 24th to 26th April, with 60 male and 12 female professionals competing for the shared prize pool.
- Each player is earning a portion of the prize based on their individual performance.
Integrating Professional and Pro-Am Play:
- The tournament is featuring three rounds of Pro-Am, being held alongside the professional rounds.
- Each day, 48 professionals are teeing off in the morning, while 24 others are pairing up with 72 amateurs in the afternoon.
- The rotation system ensures every professional plays two morning sessions and one afternoon Pro-Am over the three days.
Pro-Am Format Highlights:
- Each team consists of one professional and three amateurs.
- The amateurs are playing in scramble format, while professionals are continuing in stroke play.
- On Pro-Am days, a professional’s score is being counted towards both the professional leaderboard and the Pro-Am championship.
- The top three professionals in the Pro-Am standings receive prize money, making each round count on multiple fronts.
Speaking at the inauguration, Vishesh C. Chandiok, CEO, Grant Thornton Bharat, shared, “The Kapil Dev – Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 is more than just a golf tournament—it’s a defining event for Indian sport and business. As the first professional golf event in India to be co-sanctioned by both the PGTI and the WGAI, it brings men and women professionals together on the same stage, competing for the same prize purse, and paired with amateur celebrities from cricket, business, government, arts and fashion. Our vision is to build an ecosystem that fosters a more inclusive and accessible India. By breaking barriers and setting a new precedent for inclusivity in sports, we are not just growing golf—we are reshaping the future of Indian sports into one that is diverse, accessible, and truly equal.”
PGTI President and Indian Cricket Legend – Kapil Dev remarks, “With the third edition of the Kapil Dev – Grant Thornton Invitational, we’re poised to raise the bar even higher, making this year’s event the most unforgettable yet. I extend my gratitude to Grant Thornton Bharat for their unwavering support in promoting golf in India and I also thank the venue Prestige Golfshire Bengaluru. Golf holds immense importance in India, fostering inclusivity, diversity, and excellence. Through this tournament, we aim to inspire a broader audience, create a larger community of enthusiasts, and most importantly, nurture the next generation of golfers, making the sport more accessible and inclusive for all. I’m grateful to all our partners for their commitment to shaping a vibrant and inclusive sporting culture in India. Let’s make this edition another milestone in golf’s exciting journey in our country.”
The tournament will witness participation from some of India’s finest golf talent. Leading the field on the men’s side are renowned professionals such as Gaganjeet Bhullar, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Rahil Gangjee, Rashid Khan, Yuvraj Sandhu, Udayan Mane, Manu Gandas, Om Prakash Chouhan, Varun Parikh, and Sachin Baisoya, among others.
The women’s lineup features a strong contingent of 12 top Indian professionals, including Vani Kapoor, Sneha Singh, Amandeep Kaur, Seher Kaur Atwal, Pranavi S Urs, Neha Tripathi, Tvesa Malik, Ridhima Dilawari, Jasmine Shekar, Hitaashee Bakshi, Avani Prashanth, and Vidhatri Urs.
The Kapil Dev – Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 continues to grow as a platform for inclusivity, excellence, and the transformative power of sport, supported by Proud Partner Incuspaze and Championship Sponsors Callaway, Harley Davidson, and Ballantines.
With its pioneering format, the event is shaping a new era of golf in India, where diversity, collaboration, and accessibility define the sport’s future. This edition is poised to inspire generations of golfers and sports enthusiasts across the nation.