The DP World India Championship, held at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) from October 16–19, 2025, saw a strong showing from international players, with England's Tommy Fleetwood clinching the title. Despite a strong 26-man Indian contingent, the tournament highlighted the challenges Indian golfers face when competing against their European counterparts.
Fleetwood's victory was marked by a final round of seven-under 65, securing a two-stroke win over Japan's Keita Nakajima. Fleetwood, who started the final day two shots behind, demonstrated composure under pressure. This was Fleetwood's eighth DP World Tour victory and his first in India.
Shiv Kapur emerged as the best-performing Indian, finishing tied for 32nd place at nine-under after a final round of 68. Dhruv Sheoran finished T-36 at 8-under 280. Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri, both European tour winners, finished T-56 at 3-under 285. Abhinav Lohan finished T-63 (1-under 287). Overall, only five of the 26 Indian players made the cut, highlighting the gap between Indian golfers and their European Tour counterparts.
The DGC course, known for demanding discipline and precision, requires players to hit straight, avoid thick bushes and rough, and make smart iron selections. While the course conditions weren't the toughest, with the cut falling at 2-under and the winning score at 22-under, most Indian players struggled to make a lasting impression.
Reflecting on the broader context, the last time an Indian golfer won a European event was in August 2018, when Gaganjeet Bhullar triumphed at the Fiji International. The last international win by an Indian at the DGC also dates back to 2018, when Khalin Joshi won the Panasonic Open.
Despite the strong field of Indian players, including Shubhankar Sharma, Anirban Lahiri, and Shiv Kapur, none could capitalize on their familiarity with the DGC course. Young Indian players who have previously made a mark on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) also sought to make an impact. Veer Ahlawat, who earned a DP World Tour berth in 2025, noted the advantage Indian golfers have at the DGC but expressed that he has not had the best season. Yuvraj Sandhu, a winner on the Asian Development Tour and current leader on the PGTI Order of Merit, was also one to watch.
The DP World India Championship, with a $4 million purse, was a significant opportunity for Indian professionals. The presence of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood elevated the tournament's stature, but the results underscored the work needed for Indian golfers to consistently compete at the highest levels.
