DP World Tour: India's Moment to Shine in the Golf Spotlight

What does it mean when Rory McIlroy, one of the biggest names in golf, decides to play in India? When he tees off at the DP World India Championship this October at the Delhi Golf Club, it will mark an important milestone for Indian golf.  

This $4 million tournament, jointly organized by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, will bring international stars like Tommy Fleetwood alongside 24 talented Indian professionals. The event will shine a light on India’s rapid progress in golf and how the country is becoming a key player on the global stage.  

Golf is growing fast here, with around 175,000 active players and more courses opening up in cities like Gurgaon and Noida. This tournament is a sign that India’s golf ambitions are real, and brands have an exciting opportunity to connect with a growing and passionate sports audience.  

Why India is Becoming a Hotspot for Golf 

The DP World Tour’s increasing focus on India shows how valuable the country is becoming for global golf. They see India as a place with a lot of potential to grow and are adding new tournaments to build its profile. This championship is a key step toward making Indian golf a part of the international spotlight. 

The event required significant lobbying and backchannel efforts, but as Delhi Golf Club president Raj Kholsa noted, the excitement isn't just for the club itself, it's for Indian golf and the country. With stars like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Shane Lowry making their first trips to India, the tournament becomes a powerful branding opportunity broadcast across Europe, showcasing India's capability to host large-scale prestigious events successfully. 

For Indian golf, the stakes are particularly high. Shubhankar Sharma remains the last Indian to win a DP World Tour event—a drought that has stretched seven years. This tournament at Delhi Golf Club, with its own storied history dating back 95 years, could mark a turning point. The course has witnessed memorable Indian victories before, from SSP Chawrasia's 2016 triumph to Anirban Lahiri's breakthrough in 2011. 

How Brands Are Making Golf a Part of Their Identity 

Many top brands are already using golf to reach India’s growing and wealthy sports fans. They are going beyond just sponsoring events — they are creating experiences that connect their brands with the lifestyle and values golf represents. Here’s how:  

Creating Bespoke Experiences Through Golf's Universal Appeal  

Golf’s premium nature makes it the perfect canvas for crafting unforgettable brand experiences. Brands that create cross-functional golf events discover the sport's power to bring together audiences and design extraordinary moments. 

Example: When Cricket West Indies brought legends like Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara to Delhi's Qutub Golf Course for a corporate golf day, they created something remarkable. Cricket stars traded their bats for drivers, and top executives from companies like IGPL, Diageo, and Kingfisher engaged with sporting icons in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. 

For IGPL, the powering sponsor, this meant more than visibility. It was about being present where meaningful relationships form naturally—in curated networking zones and unhurried conversations on the greens 

Building a Prestige Image with Golf 

Golf is a sport linked with sophistication, luxury, and excellence. Brands that sponsor golf or collaborate with top players gain a special kind of credibility. It helps them portray their identity as premium, authentic, and aligned with the qualities of golf—precision, tradition, and continuous improvement. 

Example: BMW India’s partnership with Shiv Kapur, a popular Indian golfer, isn’t just about advertising. It’s about telling a story of craftsmanship and excellence. Shiv is the brand ambassador for BMW’s Golf Cup International, the world’s largest amateur golf series. This partnership links BMW’s reputation for luxury and performance with golf’s values of perfection and dedication. For BMW, this means more than a logo—it's about creating a lifestyle story that connects emotionally with customers who dream of quality and achievement. 

Connecting with Passionate Audiences through Athletes 

Partnering with golfers is a smart way for brands to gain trust and build emotional bonds. Golfers symbolize discipline, focus, and excellence — traits that brands aspire to reflect. 

Example: Hero MotoCorp has teamed up with PGA Tour stars Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala as their global ambassadors. These rising stars represent ambition and youthfulness, resonating with India’s young aspirational consumers. When fans see their favorite brand associated with top golfers, it builds credibility and aspiration. 

Creating Loyalty with Exclusive Experiences 

Offering special perks for golf lovers helps brands stay top of mind and build strong loyalty. 

Example: HSBC provides its members with complimentary golf rounds, lessons, and VIP privileges. These benefits turn ordinary customers into brand advocates, associating HSBC with a lifestyle of excellence and leisure. 

Why This Moment Matters

India’s golf scene is quickly evolving and gaining global attention. The DP World India Championship is a turning point, signaling strong growth and opportunity. Brands that tell authentic, engaging stories about golf and lifestyle will connect best with India’s growing golf audience. For brands, it represents a chance to connect with the core values that draw people to golf: precision, excellence, and smart strategy. With India's golf community growing and becoming more prosperous, the brands that succeed will be those that tell genuine stories rather than just pushing products. 

At Zupotsu, we help brands tap into this opportunity by creating authentic narratives that go beyond typical advertising. We understand both the golf world and what makes India's market unique, which lets us build strategies that respect the sport while delivering real results for our clients. As India's golf scene continues to grow, working with specialists who know how to engage this community respectfully isn't just smart—it's necessary. The opportunity is here now for brands ready to make their mark, and Zupotsu can help you connect meaningfully with India's expanding golf community.    

Zupotsu is a martech platform on a mission to ‘digitize’ sports marketing. Zupotsu enables the discovery, engagement, and evaluation (the ‘DEE’ framework) for every sports and esports marketing asset. Please sign up at www.zupotsu.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Reach out at ‘marketing@zupotsu.com’ for any queries.