Chhattisgarh will open India’s professional golf season as the Chhattisgarh Open Golf Championship tees off the 2026 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) calendar from February 3 to 6 at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur. The second edition of the tournament marks a significant step forward for the event, with the prize purse enhanced to Rs 1.5 crore, up from Rs 1 crore last year.
The season opener was jointly announced by the PGTI and Arun Sao, Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister of Chhattisgarh. The tournament will bring together 126 professionals, including India’s leading golfers and a select overseas field, underlining the growing national stature of the championship. The tournament week will begin with a Pro-Am event on February 1, ahead of the main competition.
Arun Sao said the return of the Chhattisgarh Open as the PGTI season opener reflects the state government’s continued emphasis on sports development and its efforts to position Chhattisgarh as a venue for major national sporting events. He noted that such tournaments contribute not only to sporting excellence but also to tourism, youth engagement and the state’s wider development goals.
PGTI President Kapil Dev said,”The first edition of the Chhattisgarh Open Golf Championship demonstrates the state’s growing interest in professional golf, and we are delighted to return for the second edition thanks to the continued support of the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports, Shri Arun Sao Ji, the Government of Chhattisgarh and all local stakeholders.
”Such tournaments play a vital role in providing competitive opportunities for our professionals while also contributing to the growth of the sport in emerging golfing destinations like Chhattisgarh. We look forward to another highly competitive event that will give our players a strong platform to perform and inspire the next generation of golfers in the region.”
PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl said the enhanced prize money, representing a 50 per cent increase, signals the tournament’s rapid rise on the Tour calendar. He added that the Chhattisgarh Open aligns with the PGTI’s long-term objective of expanding professional golf into emerging regions and providing greater competitive opportunities for players.
The championship will be played in a four-round stroke-play format, with the top 50 players and ties qualifying for the final two rounds. The winner will take home Rs 22.5 lakh, making it one of the more lucrative stops early in the season.
Located on the banks of the 450-acre Jhanjh Lake and surrounded by nearly 500 acres of forest, the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort is central India’s first 18-hole golf course. Designed by Australia’s Pacific Coast Design, the par-69 course is known for its demanding layout, water hazards and strategic risk-reward holes.
With the Chhattisgarh Open once again entrusted with launching the PGTI season, Naya Raipur is set to draw national attention, reinforcing the state’s growing footprint on India’s professional sports landscape.