Asian Games: Kapil Dev urges Indian golfers to play fearlessly

DP World PGTI president Kapil Dev has extended his best wishes to India’s six-member golf contingent ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. Yuvraj Sandhu, Saptak Talwar, Veer Ahlawat, Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs will compete

Hyderabad: DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) President and legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has extended his best wishes to India’s men’s and women’s golf teams ahead of the golf competition at the Asian Games in Japan.
The Indian contingent comprises

Yuvraj Sandhu, Saptak Talwar and Veer Ahlawat in the men’s section, and Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs in the women’s section.
Kapil Dev, President, DP World PGTI, said, “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.”

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Exhorting the Indian golfers to approach the competition with confidence, Kapil Dev added, “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.”

Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, “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 DP World 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.”

The Indian men’s trio will make its Asian Games debut with strong credentials and considerable experience of competing on the international stage.

Yuvraj Sandhu has been a regular on the Asian Tour and has been playing on the DP World Tour this season after securing his DP World Tour card by winning the DP World PGTI Order of Merit in 2025. The 29-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking streak on the DP World PGTI in 2025, 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 on the DP World PGTI in 2025. Yuvraj is a winner of 16 professional titles, including one international title on the Asian Development Tour.

Yuvraj said, “I played in Japan last year, so I have a very fair idea of what the golf courses are like. We already have the course mapped out in detail, including the yardages. I think playing on the DP World Tour has polished my game, so I feel ready to tackle the course. 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.”

Thirty-year-old Veer Ahlawat has been a regular on the Asian Tour and also competed on the DP World Tour in 2025 after earning his card by emerging as the 2024 DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion. He is a six-time winner on the DP World PGTI, besides finishing joint runner-up at the Hero Indian Open in 2024.

Veer, who had a first-hand look at the course in Japan last month, said, “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. 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.”

Saptak Talwar, currently ranked No. 1 on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit, has strengthened his game by dividing his competitive schedule between the HotelPlanner Tour in Europe and the DP World PGTI. Twenty-seven-year-old Saptak is a two-time winner on the DP World PGTI.

Saptak said, “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. 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.”

The six-member contingent reflects the growing strength and competitiveness of Indian golf. The players’ progress across domestic and international tours underlines the increasing depth of the sport in the country and India’s ability to produce golfers capable of succeeding at the highest level.