New Delhi, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President and legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has extended his best wishes to the Indian men’s and women’s golf teams ahead of the golf competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, expressing confidence in their ability to perform on the international stage.
India’s six-member golf contingent comprises Yuvraj Sandhu, Saptak Talwar and Veer Ahlawat in the men’s section, while Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs will represent the country in the women’s competition.
Kapil Dev said representing India at the Asian Games was the highest honour and praised the golfers for earning their places through determination, discipline and consistently strong performances.
“Representing India at the Asian Games is the highest honour. I extend my best wishes to Veer, Saptak, Yuvraj, Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi as they prepare to compete for the country in Japan. Each of them has earned this opportunity through determination, discipline and consistently strong performances. They possess the talent, experience and temperament to perform successfully on this major international stage,” he said.
Encouraging the players to compete with confidence, Kapil Dev urged them to trust their preparation, remain focused and approach the competition fearlessly.
“My message to them is simple: believe in yourselves, play fearlessly and give it everything you have. The responsibility of representing the country should inspire you to raise your game. Stay focused, trust your preparation and play every shot with pride. The entire Indian golfing fraternity is behind you. Go out there, compete hard and make India proud,” he added.
PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl also expressed confidence in the Indian men’s team, highlighting the consistent performances and competitive experience of Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat and Saptak Talwar.
Johl said the trio had earned their places in the contingent through resilience and sustained performances, adding that their selection reflected the strength of the PGTI and the international pathway it provides.
“Yuvraj, Veer and Saptak have earned this opportunity through consistent performances, resilience and a strong competitive temperament. Their place in the Indian contingent is a proud moment for us and reflects the strength of our tour and the international pathway provided by the PGTI. All three possess the experience and ability to mount a strong medal challenge. We wish them, along with Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi, every success at the Asian Games,” Johl said.
The Indian men’s trio will make its Asian Games debut, bringing considerable experience from domestic and international competitions.
Yuvraj Sandhu, 29, has been a regular on the Asian Tour and is competing on the DP World Tour this season after earning his card by winning the PGTI Order of Merit in 2025. He enjoyed a record-breaking season on the PGTI last year, becoming the first player to win seven titles in a single season. He also set a new record for season earnings, accumulating Rs 1,91,67,100.
A winner of 16 professional titles, including an international title on the Asian Development Tour, Yuvraj said his previous experience of playing in Japan would help him prepare for the competition.
“I played in Japan last year, so I have a very fair idea of how the golf courses are. We already have the course mapped out in detail, and the yardages. I think playing on the DP World Tour has polished my game, so I feel ready to tackle the course,” he said.
Yuvraj noted that recent rainfall in Japan could leave the course softer but said he was accustomed to competing in wet conditions.
“It’s rained a lot there recently, so the course will definitely be softer. We are expecting ideal weather. Besides, I’m pretty much accustomed to playing in such conditions; I’ve been playing in the rain four weeks out of the past eight,” he added.
Veer Ahlawat, 30, is also a regular on the Asian Tour and competed on the DP World Tour in 2025 after earning his card as the 2024 PGTI Order of Merit champion. He is a six-time winner on the PGTI and finished joint runner-up at the Indian Open in 2024.
Having visited the Japanese course last month, Veer identified wedge play, spin control and precise tee shots as important aspects of the challenge.
“The course was short, and mostly those are the courses we play here in India. I think the main challenge in Japan is to get your wedges tuned in, and spin control will play a major role,” he said.
He added that golfers would need to exercise careful course management, particularly on shorter holes where using a driver off the tee might not be necessary.
“In short courses, we have to be very precise on the tee, and most of the time, you do not even have to hit your driver off the tee. You have to manage the course well, make sure that even if you have a few hundred-yard shot, you are there in the game,” Veer said.
Saptak Talwar, 27, currently leads the PGTI Order of Merit and has been balancing his competitive schedule between the European Tour and the PGTI. A two-time PGTI winner, Talwar said qualifying for the Asian Games was an important step towards his broader ambitions, including securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“The goal was to improve my ranking and qualify, and I am proud that one box has been ticked. The next aim is to make the cut for the LA Olympics,” he said.
Talwar believes his experience competing in Europe, where players regularly encounter rain and wind, could be useful in Japan, where similar weather conditions are expected during the competition.
“I think I have played enough in Europe, and Europe is about rain, wind, and other elements. I think we like our chances of battling the elements, as Japan is expected to have similar weather at this time. Having the experience under my belt of playing in not-so-pretty weather is definitely an advantage,” he added.
The six-member Indian contingent reflects the growing competitiveness of Indian golf, with players gaining experience across domestic and international tours. Their participation at the Asian Games highlights the increasing depth of the sport in the country and the development of golfers competing at the highest level.
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