DP World PGTI announces inaugural Vijay Kumar Memorial golf tournament in Lucknow
The DP World PGTI has launched the inaugural NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial at Lucknow Golf Club to honor the legendary late golfer. Running from June 9 to 11, the ₹25 lakh tournament features a highly competitive 72-professional field
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.