National professional golf returns to Nava Raipur with strong field and ₹1 crore purse
Nava Raipur welcomed the Nava Raipur Open 2026 on Tuesday as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President and Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev jointly inaugurated the event at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort. The DP World PGTI tournament carries a prize purse of ₹1 crore and is scheduled from 15 to 18 September.
The championship assembled a field of 132 professional golfers, including 18 international players, and was opened with a ceremonial tee-off and trophy unveiling attended by PGTI Chief Executive Officer Amandeep Johl, according to an official release. Organisers said the tournament marks the tour's return to Nava Raipur for a second professional stop in 2026 following positive feedback for the earlier SECL Chhattisgarh Open.
"The Chief Minister highlighted that hosting additional professional golf tournaments would attract visitors, encourage youth participation, and create opportunities for tourism, hospitality, and local businesses in Nava Raipur, according to an official release."
Field and international representation
The tournament features several leading Indian professionals and an array of international entrants. Notable Indian competitors named in the field include Veer Ahlawat, Manu Gandas, Akshay Sharma, Honey Baisoya, Khalin Joshi, Rashid Khan and Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow. Veer Ahlawat is also listed among the players selected to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya.
- Indian names: Veer Ahlawat, Manu Gandas, Akshay Sharma, Honey Baisoya, Khalin Joshi, Rashid Khan, Om Prakash Chouhan.
- International entrants: Sri Lanka (N. Thangaraja, Mithun Perera), Czech Republic (Stepan Danek), Thailand (Tanapat Pichaikool), Bangladesh (Jamal Hossain, Badal Hossain), Nepal (Subash Tamang), Uganda (Joshua Seale), USA (Koichiro Sato, Dominic Piccirillo), Japan (Taiga Tanaka), Ireland (Declan Kenny), Canada (Sukhraj Singh Gill).
Event details and local impact
The Nava Raipur Open forms part of the DP World PGTI calendar and organisers stated that the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort aims to establish continuity on India's professional golf schedule. The championship is expected to draw players, support staff, officials and spectators to Nava Raipur, offering a boost to hospitality, transport and allied services in and around Raipur.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Fairway Golf & Lake Resort, Nava Raipur |
| Dates | 15–18 September 2026 |
| Field | 132 professional golfers (including 18 internationals) |
| Prize purse | ₹1 crore |
Officials said the course layout and conditions received favourable reviews during the earlier SECL Chhattisgarh Open, and the organisers are seeking similar feedback this week. The presence of international players underlines the organisers' intent to position Nava Raipur on the national professional circuit.
While the tournament is competitive, organisers and state authorities have emphasised the broader objectives of promoting tourism, encouraging youth engagement in sport and creating economic opportunities for local businesses. The ceremonial proceedings also included meetings between dignitaries and participating golfers prior to media interactions, the release said.
Play continues through Friday with final rounds determining the champion and prize distribution. Local hospitality and tourism stakeholders will be watching the tournament's turnout and media coverage as indicators of Nava Raipur's ability to host recurring professional sporting events.
