WRITTEN BY AKSH GUPTA

 

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has set off a storm in Indian golf after suspending 17 professionals who played in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Invitational at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, between September 17 and 19. 

 

 

Gaganjeet Bhullar after Winning the IGPL Trophy

 

The list includes some of the biggest names in Indian golf — Olympian and Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar, alongside Aman Raj, Harendra Gupta, Karandeep Kochhar, and Sachin Baisoya. The decision was taken by PGTI’s Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC), which issued show-cause notices and simultaneously suspended the players.

 

Why Players Are Upset

For many golfers, the action feels disproportionate. None of the suspended players were part of the entry or waiting list for the Chennai Open, the PGTI event scheduled on the same dates. “We were not even eligible for the Chennai Open, yet we were suspended for playing IGPL. This feels unfair and selective,” a player familiar with the matter expressed.

 

Adding to the controversy, critics point to inconsistencies in enforcement. Members of the PGTI Governing Body and DAC themselves reportedly participated in a separate tournament in Pune, coinciding with the PGTI NextGen event, raising questions about double standards.

 

Courtroom Battle Begins

 

 

Delhi High Court

 

The fallout has now moved beyond the fairways and into the courts. Several players are preparing legal action, challenging what they see as an arbitrary suspension. Two cases have already been filed in the Delhi High Court, with Ranjeet Singh and Kapil Kumar being the first to seek judicial intervention.

 

More Than Just Suspensions

The controversy has disrupted the schedules of some of India’s top golfers and ignited a wider debate on governance, player rights, and transparency within the sport. For players, it is about protecting their professional freedom; for the PGTI, it is about enforcing its authority.

 

4moles.com was the first to break this developing story through our exclusive video coverage, where we explained how the suspensions will unfold and what it means for Indian golfers.
 Watch the full video here

 

 

With the matter now in the legal arena, the outcome could set a precedent for how professional golf in India balances the interests of players and the governing body. What’s clear is that this suspension has opened up a much larger conversation about fairness and credibility in Indian golf.