Country’s top 17 golfers suspended, move sparks outrage
New Delhi, September 23, 2025 (ANI): The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has suspended 17 professional golfers for participating in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Invitational Tournament at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, held between September 17 and 19.
The suspension list includes some of the most prominent names in Indian golf. Gaganjeet Bhullar, one of India’s most successful golfers, has represented the country at the Olympic Games and is a multiple-time Asian Tour winner.
His suspension, alongside players such as Aman Raj, Harendra Gupta, Karandeep Kochhar, and Sachin Baisoya, has caused widespread concern across the golfing community.
Players are now considering approaching the judiciary to ensure fairness and uniformity within the PGTI. Two cases have already been filed by players before the Delhi High Court, the most recent being by Ranjeet Singh and Kapil Kumar.
The move has drawn strong criticism, as the players were not part of the entry or waiting list for the Chennai Open, conducted by PGTI on the same dates.
Being outside the Chennai Open entry list, the players participated in the IGPL event. However, the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) of PGTI, comprising five members, issued show-cause notices and simultaneously passed suspension orders. Players reported that the DAC had overstepped its authority, as it does not have the power to issue interim suspension orders prior to the completion of a full inquiry.
Players also expressed that they have been unfairly targeted by PGTI for participating in IGPL tournaments, whereas several other players — including members of the Governing Body and DAC itself — participated in a tournament held in Pune on the same dates as the PGTI Tournament Next Gen.
(ANI)