Bhubaneswar: The city will witness its first-ever professional golf event as the Dilip Tirkey Invitational tees off at the Bhubaneswar Golf Club from November 4 to 6, 2025. The tournament, the eighth and final event of the 2025 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) NEXGEN season, marks PGTI’s debut in Odisha.
The three-day event will feature a field of 72 players competing over 54 holes, with a cut applied after 36 holes. The top 36 players and ties will progress to the final round. The tournament offers a prize purse of Rs 20 lakh. The winner’s cheque will be of Rs 2,54,000.
Leading professional golfers from across India will participate, including local talents Ankit Padhi and Satya Ranjan Pattanaik, along with amateur Pradeep Bhagat. Lucknow’s Sanjeev Kumar currently tops the PGTI NEXGEN Order of Merit, having earned Rs 7,08,740 this season. The NEXGEN Order of Merit winner will secure an exemption for the 2026 PGTI main tour.
The PGTI has so far conducted events in 17 states, 2 union territories, and Delhi. With the Dilip Tirkey Invitational, Odisha becomes the 18th state to host a PGTI event.
Dilip Tirkey, Indian hockey legend and tournament host, said, “I am thrilled to host the Dilip Tirkey Invitational, the first professional golf tournament in Bhubaneswar. This event, organised with the PGTI, is a milestone in promoting top-level golf in Odisha. My vision is to nurture golf at the grassroots level and provide opportunities for young golfers.”
He also thanked Kapil Dev, President of PGTI, and partners Game Start, Tamanna, and Nitai for supporting the event.
Amandeep Johl, CEO of PGTI, added, “We are delighted to bring professional golf to Odisha for the first time. Dilip Tirkey’s support in promoting the sport in his home state is invaluable. With Odisha’s rich sporting culture, we expect an exciting week of golf as this event concludes the NEXGEN Series season.”
The Bhubaneswar Golf Club, with its 9-hole course and plans for expansion to 18 holes, offers scenic views with IT hubs on one side and forests on the other, making it a picturesque venue for the tournament.
