PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl, league brand ambassador Arjun Atwal, league commissioner Amrit Mathur, (holding short) along with Game of Life co-founders Samant Sikka and Amit Kharabanda (stage left), pose with players (from left) Amardip Malik, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Viraj Madappa, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Manu Gandas, kartik Singh and Honey Baisoya at the launch of 72 The League in New Delhi on Saturday.
By Rahul Banerji
The inaugural edition of PGTI’s 72 The League was launched in some style in New Delhi on Saturday, with the next generation of Indian golf looking forward to embracing the challenge of a brand new format.
With rising talents Shaurya Bhattacharya and Kartik Singh in attendance, along with seasoned pros Honey Baisoya, Manu Gandas, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Viraj Madappa, the event saw a coming together of a wide spectrum of professionals.
The glittering trophy that will be handed over to the eventual winners was unveiled by ICC chairman Jay Shah in the presence of PGTI president Kapil Dev on the occasion.
“Any time you feel the BCCI can be of assistance to Indian golf, Paaji, please feel free to ask. We will respond,” Shah said to cheers by a sizeable crowd gathered for the league’s launch.
The trophy has been designed by the internationally acclaimed artist and designer, Vibhor Sogani, known for his innovative public art installations and contributions to the field of design.
Set to be held in a matchplay format, the league will feature six teams, each with 10 members.
Mixed format
It aims to give the 60 players chosen at an auction earlier in the week the opportunity to play in the singles, fourballs and foursome formats, something many of them haven’t yet sone at a professional level.
Two teams will meet in five matches — two singles, two fourballs and one foursomes — with a maximum of 15 points available for the encounter.
The quality of competition promises to test the teams with most golfers entering the competition on the back of solid individual performances.
Honey Baisoya, the most expensive buy of the league at Rs 20.50 lakh and part of the Nava Raipur team, currently leads the PGTI Order of Merit and is coming off a win at the DP World Players Championship at the Qutub course earlier this month.\
He had opened the season with a third-place finish at the SECL Chhattisgarh Open Golf Championship in the first week of February.
Baisoya was 13th at the DP World Players Championship 2026 powered by Urbana at Tollygunge Club, an event where Shaurya Bhattacharya and Manu Gandas were tied second.
Hooked to happenings
Sharing his excitement about the player auction, Baisoya said, “We were playing the practice round in Tolly and everyone was looking at Instagram.
“We saw the stories on Instagram how the auction was being held. And it was so exciting. We had a lot of discussions about it.
“On the morning of the auction, I messaged my friend Veer (Ahlawat) saying that I have a feeling I’ll go for Rs 20 lakh. In the end, it turned out exactly like that.”
The presence of 16-year-old Kartik Singh further showcased the bench strength of the PGTI’s membership that is set to get a major fillip at the league. Singh was picked by the Mumbai Aces.
“This is my first year on the PGTI and I’m very grateful that I’ve been selected for the league,” said the teenager. “And I’m really excited to be playing with the team format.
“It promises to be interesting playing singles, foursomes, and four-ball formats. It’s all a different format than what we normally play. It will make the game a lot more interesting,” Singh said.
Bhattacharya, who was third on PGTI’s Order of Merit in 2025 with two wins, was determined to carry his good form into the seaosn.
“I was pre-blocked by the UP Prometheans team and I am really glad to be a part of that team.
“The feeling behind this week for me is excitement, but at the same time, it would be a very competitive tournament.
Team strategies
“The camaraderie within the team and how we strategise in the team format is really interesting and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Viraj Madappa, who returned to competition after an 18-month break to recover from a back injury, was equally chuffed about playing in a team format.
“This is the first time for me to be part of a team. Golf is a very individual sport but right now you have nine other guys behind you, have your team strategist, you have a lot of people who you want to do well for.
“As golfers, we always have a dream to play the Ryder Cup format, but the Presidents Cup is as close as it gets for Indians.
“Here, we have a format very similar to that, and to play for something bigger than ourselves is very exciting,” Madappa, who is a part of the Kolkata Classics, said.
He also pointed to the presence of fellow-Kolkatan Atwal as being inspirational.
“It gives us all and me in particular being from the same city, an opportunity to pick his brains and learn about playing at the top level which he has done foe so many years.”
The League will also see a fair mix of international talent with 11 overseas players picked at Monday’s auction.
The most expensive overseas buy was Jhared Hack of US, who was picked up by the Nava Raipur team at Rs. 15.80 lakh.
Lot of fun
On playing at the PGTI this year and being a part of the league, Hack said, “Everybody’s been extremely welcoming. I felt like everywhere I’d been at everybody has been great. I’ve had a lot of fun.
“Courses have been great. And yeah, the opportunity to be a part of 72 the League and PGTI and be with an organisation that helps me advance my career and help grow the game is a great opportunity.”
Asian Tour winner and Rajasthan Regals member Ajeetesh Sandhu added, “I mean, it’s such a new concept for us. We’ve never played in a team format, or at least I haven’t. So yeah, think all of us are really looking forward to it.
“It’s going to be something and such a new challenge. And to have the opportunity to kind of help your teammates or help your co-players and youngsters, I think it’s a very exciting prospect.
“It’s (the league) has created so much excitement, not just among the players but you know all over the country for this, so we’re all absolutely gung-ho about this and ready to go.”
Measured tone
Atwal struck a more measured tone, asking players of the present generation to be ready to step out of their comfort zone.
“Today the money players earn playing at home is very substantial and it is understandable if they are happy playing here. But to reach new levels, they need to ready to puch harder, get out of the comfort zone.
“That’s how I reached the PGA Tour, first topping on the home circuit, then doing so in Asia before winning on the European Tour, That told me that I was finally ready to try and get on the PGA Tour.”
The inaugural edition of the league will be held at the ITC Classic Golf & Country Club, Jaypee Greens, and Qutab Golf Course from February 24 at the ITC Classic course.
Also read: Tight bids mark auction at inaugural edition of 72 The League
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