IGPL a game-changer for Indian golf: Kapur

Seasoned golfer Shiv Kapur termed the upcoming Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) as a game-changer to uplift the Indian golfing standard.

The IGPL will be a city-based franchise league featuring six mixed-gender teams. The event is slated to be held over four weeks in January-February next year and the format will combine professional golfers with top amateurs in an innovative competition model.

Kapur, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, and SSP Chawrasia were announced as icon players of the league. The event was also attended by 56-year-old veteran Gaurav Ghei. “To have a tour, followed by the league in a short, concise format is exciting. It will engage youngsters and bring new viewership to the game,” said Ghei.

“Golf in India has grown, but we haven’t produced a young superstar in a while. Maybe we’re losing those kids to cricket or football. IGPL could change that… People are tired of watching golf for five or six hours. Everything in the sport today is being done to combat slow play,” added Ghei.

The IGPL will feature a no-cut, three-day stroke play format for the tour, while the league itself will include two formats — a morning ‘Turf Wars’ nine-hole match play and an evening ‘X-Golf’ relay format. “Look at the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, people watch because it’s a team event. And with the X-Golf relay, where a golfer doesn’t hit two shots in a row, it’s like speed golf. That’s what younger audiences want. The goal of this event is to make the sport more relatable and accessible, especially to youth in smaller towns,” Kapur said.

Besides, Kapur, Chawrasia and Ghei, the IGPL will also feature icons like Gaganjeet Bhullar, Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.