New Delhi, 14 October 2026: Five young Indian golfers will make their DP World India Championship debut when the US$4 million event tees off at Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.
Vishesh Sharma (19), Manoj S (18), Anshul Kabthiyal (21), Kartik Singh (16) and Shubham Jaglan (22) earned their places by finishing inside the top 24 of the Race to DP World India Championship after last week’s Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship in Greater Noida.
They join a DP World PGTI contingent that also includes experienced names such as Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, Veer Ahlawat and Rashid Khan.
Vishesh, Manoj and Anshul are 16th, 17th and 18th on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. Kartik is 20th and Shubham 21st. Vishesh and Shubham won their first professional titles on the tour this season.
Vishesh leads the youth brigade
Hyderabad’s Vishesh Sharma, in his second season on the tour, won at his home course last month and has two other top-10 finishes. He was once India’s No. 1 in the 13 to 15 age group.
“It’s an honour to be here, playing alongside the biggest golfing stars in the world and my fellow Indian players,” he said. “We’re all proud to represent India, and this is a huge opportunity to show what we can do and what Indian golf has to offer.”
Manoj’s late surge
Bengaluru’s Manoj S, also in his second professional season, got in with a late run. A tied fifth and a tied second in the last two events lifted him from 26th to 17th on the Order of Merit.
“Last week was really important because I was outside the top 24 and needed a good finish to qualify. I managed to do that, so now I want to stay focused, carry that momentum into this week and see how it goes,” said Manoj, who was India’s No. 2 junior in 2023. “It’s a tough course and I’m not hitting driver at all this week.”
Kabthiyal and Jaglan
Anshul Kabthiyal has four top-10s this season, including a runner-up finish. He won 10 junior and six amateur titles before turning professional.
Shubham Jaglan, a former India No. 1 junior who played college golf in the United States, turned professional last year. He won his first title in Kolkata two months ago and has a third-place finish and another top-10.
“I would watch the Indian Open here as a kid and follow the likes of Anirban Lahiri on the course. Now, I’m competing alongside him at the same event. So, it’s very special to be on the other side of the rope now,” Jaglan said.
Youngest in the field
Kartik Singh, 16, is the youngest player at the championship. He was India’s top-ranked junior and amateur before turning professional and has two top-10s in his first season.
“I’ve watched the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood on television for years, and I still watch them regularly. To now have the chance to play alongside my idols feels really special,” he said. “My main goal is to enjoy the week and make the most of this experience.”
Amandeep Johl, CEO of the DP World PGTI, said the number of young players in the field reflected the tour’s effort to create playing opportunities. “Competing alongside some of the world’s best players on home soil is an invaluable opportunity for these youngsters to test themselves at the highest level, gain confidence and accelerate their development,” he said.
Read about the DP World PGTI stars leading India’s challenge.
