(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Indian golf is buzzing with controversy after the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) suspended 17 top players for joining a rival event. The drama unfolded when these pros took part in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Invitational Tournament at Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida from September 17 to 19.
Among those hit by the ban is Gaganjeet Bhullar, one of India’s biggest golf stars. Bhullar has shone on the Asian Tour with multiple wins and even represented India at the Olympics. Other suspended talents include Aman Raj, Harendra Gupta, Karandeep Kochhar, and Sachin Baisoya. The move has left the golf community shocked and upset.
Why the suspensions? PGTI points to a strict rule in its constitution: Players can’t compete in any league outside the PGTI. But the pros argue this feels unfair. They weren’t even on the entry or waiting list for PGTI’s Chennai Open, which ran on the same dates. So, no real clash with official events, they say.
Now, the players are fighting back. Some are heading to court to demand fairness in Indian golf rules. Already, two cases have landed in the Delhi High Court, including a fresh one from Ranjeet Singh and Kapil Kumar.
Critics slam PGTI’s Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC), a five-member group, for jumping the gun. The DAC sent show-cause notices and slapped suspensions without a full investigation, players claim. They accuse the committee of overstepping its powers by issuing these interim bans too quickly.
The backlash grows louder over what looks like double standards. Players point out that PGTI’s own Governing Body members and even DAC folks played in a Pune tournament during the same weekend as PGTI’s Next Gen event. If that’s okay, why target the IGPL participants?
This PGTI suspension saga highlights tensions in professional golf in India, as players push for clearer rules and equal treatment. Golf fans are watching closely to see if the courts step in and shake things up.
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