Lucknow, 08-06-2026

DP World PGTI NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial launched to celebrate the legacy of Indian golf legend Vijay Kumar

Tournament gets underway at Vijay Kumar’s home course Lucknow Golf Club from June 9

The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) today announced the launch of the inaugural DP World PGTI NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial, a special event dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary legacy of legendary Indian golfer Vijay Kumar.

Vijay's sudden and untimely demise at the age of 57, on April 28 this year, was a great loss to Indian golf and to the golfing fraternity in India.

The inaugural Vijay Kumar Memorial, the fifth event of the 2026 NexGen season, is scheduled to be held at Lucknow Golf Club, Vijay Kumar’s home course, from June 9 – 11, 2026. The tournament serves as a glowing tribute to one of Indian golf’s most iconic figures and will aim to inspire the next generation of golfers through the values that defined Vijay Kumar’s illustrious career — excellence, humility and sportsmanship.

Vijay Kumar, winner of the 2002 Indian Open and a four-time Order of Merit champion on the Indian domestic circuit, was among the most accomplished and respected names in Indian professional golf.

Born in Lucknow on September 29, 1968, Vijay turned professional in 1988. He dominated Indian domestic golf from the mid-1990s to the early part of the next decade winning numerous titles.

Vijay’s iconic triumph at the 2002 Indian Open remains a landmark moment in Indian golf. He remains one of only nine Indian golfers to have won the Indian Open title. Vijay also represented India at the Alfred Dunhill Cup 1999 played at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Widely admired for his skill, consistency, competitive spirit and exemplary conduct, Vijay was a role-model for a whole generation of golfers and contributed significantly to the growth of the sport in the country.

Beyond his achievements, the ever-smiling Vijay will be remembered for his positive attitude, cheerful nature and great sense of humour.

The tournament is envisioned as an annual event that not only honours Vijay Kumar’s achievements but also strengthens the pathway for emerging golfing talent in India.

The tournament offers a prize purse of INR 25 lakh. The event will be played over three rounds (54 holes) with the cut being applied after two rounds (36 holes). The top-36 players and ties will make the cut for the third and final round.

The tournament features a field of 72 professionals. The leading players in the field are Bipin Mukhiya (2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit leader), Lucknow’s Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Abhishek Kumar, Vinay Kumar Yadav, Sunit Chowrasia (all winners on the NexGen this year) as well as 15-year-old Arjunveer Shishir.

Besides Rajesh Kumar Gautam, a multiple-winner on the DP World PGTI NexGen, the other leading Lucknow-based professionals in the field are the seasoned Sanjay Kumar, a multiple-winner on the DP World PGTI, Rishi Kumar and Ashish Kumar Gupta.

The winner of this year’s NexGen Order of Merit will earn an exemption on the main tour (DP World PGTI) for the 2027 season.

Mr. Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), said, “The inaugural Vijay Kumar Memorial is a heartfelt tribute to a legendary golfer whose contribution to Indian golf will always be remembered with great respect and admiration. Vijay Kumar was not just a champion golfer, but a true ambassador for Indian golf. Vijay inspired countless golfers through his passion for the game and his remarkable journey that began at Lucknow Golf Club. DP World PGTI is proud to honour his legacy by staging this event at his home course, and we hope this tournament will inspire future generations to pursue the game with the same dedication and spirit that defined his life.”

Mr. R S Nanda, Captain, Lucknow Golf Club, said, “It is a great pleasure to welcome back the DP World PGTI to Lucknow Golf Club. I am thankful to DP World PGTI for dedicating this tournament as a tribute to the legacy of Vijay Kumar, and we are proud to celebrate his memory through this prestigious event. We remain committed to providing an excellent experience for players, members and spectators alike. The tournament will further strengthen the popularity of Golf in Lucknow and inspire greater participation in the sport. We wish all the participants the very best.”

The NexGen Tour was launched by the DP World PGTI in 2025 as its development tour with the objective of providing equal playing opportunities to all professional golfers of India and to increase the bench strength in Indian golf which in turn increases competition and the level of golf. The NexGen also aims to take professional golf to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India, thus expanding the reach of the sport within the country.

Picture Caption:

(L - R) Mr. Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, Mr. Rajneesh Sethi, Hony. Secretary, Lucknow Golf Club, leading Indian professional Mr. Sunit Chowrasia, Mr. R S Nanda, Captain, Lucknow Golf Club and Mr. Prabhash Thakur, Director, Championship, DP World PGTI, seen at the Press Conference on Monday