What Is 2016 Professional Golf Tour of India

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) was the 9th season of the official men's professional golf tour in India, featuring 23 tournaments with a total prize purse of ₹9.5 crore. The season ran from February to December 2016, with Khalin Joshi winning the Order of Merit.

Key Facts

The 2016 PGTI season was the 9th edition of the tour
It featured 23 tournaments across India
Total prize money reached ₹9.5 crore
Khalin Joshi won the 2016 PGTI Order of Merit
The season began in February and ended in December 2016

Overview

The 2016 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) marked the 9th season of India's premier men's professional golf circuit. Organized by the Professional Golf Tour of India, the tour aimed to promote elite-level golf within the country and provide competitive opportunities for Indian professionals.

Spanning from February to December 2016, the season featured a record 23 tournaments across various states, showcasing the growing depth of Indian golf talent. With a cumulative prize purse of ₹9.5 crore, the tour offered substantial financial incentives and Official World Golf Ranking points for top performers.

23 tournaments were held during the 2016 season, the highest number in PGTI history at the time, reflecting the tour’s expanding footprint across India.
The total prize money of ₹9.5 crore represented a significant increase from previous years, demonstrating improved sponsorship and organizational support.
Khalin Joshi emerged as the top player, winning the PGTI Order of Merit with earnings of ₹1.23 crore, the highest single-season total by an Indian golfer at the time.
The tour included events in states like Haryana, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, helping to decentralize professional golf and reach new regional audiences.
Several tournaments were co-sanctioned with international tours, including the Asian Development Tour, enhancing global exposure for Indian players.

How It Works

The PGTI operates as the primary organizer of professional golf events in India, structuring a season-long competition to determine the most consistent performer.

Order of Merit: The ranking is based on total prize money earned during the season. Khalin Joshi led with ₹1.23 crore, securing the title and associated benefits.
Tournament Structure: Events are typically 72-hole stroke play formats, with cut rules after 36 holes to ensure only top performers continue.
Eligibility: Players must be professionals or approved amateurs; foreign players are allowed but limited in number to prioritize Indian talent.
Prize Distribution: Each event allocates at least 70% of the purse to the top 20 finishers, with the winner receiving around 18–22%.
World Ranking Points: Top PGTI events award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, helping Indian golfers improve global standing.
Player Membership: Over 150 professionals held PGTI membership in 2016, gaining access to tournament entries and development programs.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2016 PGTI season with other major golf tours to highlight scale and competitiveness:

Tour	Number of Events	Total Prize Money	Top Earner	OWGR Points
PGTI 2016	23	₹9.5 crore (~$1.4M)	Khalin Joshi (₹1.23 cr)	Yes (selected events)
PGA Tour	46	$350M	Dustin Johnson ($10.2M)	Yes
European Tour	48	$190M	Rory McIlroy ($6.7M)	Yes
Asian Tour	22	$32M	Anirban Lahiri ($1.4M)	Yes
LPGA Tour	32	$50M	Lydia Ko ($2.6M)	Yes

While the PGTI’s financial scale is modest compared to global tours, its 23-event schedule in 2016 matched the Asian Tour in volume. The inclusion of OWGR points and co-sanctioned events helped bridge the gap between regional and international competition, providing a viable career path for Indian golfers.

Why It Matters

The 2016 PGTI season played a pivotal role in the professionalization of golf in India, offering structure, visibility, and financial opportunity to domestic players. It laid the foundation for future growth and greater integration with global golf systems.

Player Development: The tour served as a critical training ground, helping players like Shiv Kapur and Chikkarangappa refine their skills for international competition.
Economic Impact: Host cities saw increased tourism and media coverage, with tournaments generating ₹5–10 lakh in local economic activity per event.
Sponsorship Growth: Companies like Hero MotoCorp and Oil India increased investments, signaling confidence in golf’s commercial potential in India.
Media Exposure: Select events were televised on Star Sports, expanding viewership beyond traditional golf audiences.
Youth Inspiration: Success stories from the 2016 season motivated young athletes, leading to a 15% rise in junior golf academy enrollments by 2017.
Global Integration: Co-sanctioning with the Asian Development Tour enabled Indian players to earn ranking points and qualify for larger international events.

The 2016 season was a turning point, proving that a sustainable, nationally-focused golf tour could thrive in India while contributing to the global golf ecosystem.