There is a wave of excitement in Indian golf as the much-anticipated Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) prepares to tee off, marking what many are calling the start of a new era. Leading women golfers Vani Kapoor and Ridhima Dilawari have voiced their enthusiasm, highlighting how IGPL could bring better opportunities, inclusivity, and global visibility to the sport.
Speaking to the media from Gothenburg and Bengaluru respectively, the two top stars of the Hero Indian Women’s Golf Tour expressed optimism about the new format and its potential to elevate women’s golf in India.
“I am super excited about IGPL. It’s the beginning of something special for Indian golf — both for new players and established ones. It provides a fantastic platform to grow the game, especially with equal prize money on offer,” said Vani Kapoor, who has already clinched four titles this season, including a rare hat-trick.
Vani credited her experience in Europe, where she had to tackle tough conditions and aggressive competition, for sharpening her game. “Those challenges have definitely helped me play better back home. IGPL will be another step forward,” she added.
Echoing her thoughts, Ridhima Dilawari, fresh from a win in Kolar on the domestic circuit, called IGPL a golden opportunity for women’s golf. “We deserve the spotlight. There’s so much untapped potential in Indian women’s golf, and IGPL is the perfect platform to showcase it. It’s a chance for golf to claim a bigger share of sports viewership in India,” she said.
The Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) has also thrown its full support behind IGPL. Secretary General Champika Sayal pointed out that the women’s calendar had only 16 events, which made committing to IGPL easier. “This new format is exciting, and aligns with how the sport is evolving worldwide. Even the Olympics are introducing more mixed formats. IGPL has great potential for growth and could even expand to the UAE and Sri Lanka,” she noted.
According to WGAI, the top six Indian players will receive automatic selection for IGPL, while another six will be chosen at the league’s discretion. This ensures a strong balance between established talent and emerging players.
Both Vani and Ridhima acknowledged the efforts of WGAI in providing consistent support. Ridhima further added, “IGPL is not just about playing — it’s a great marketing opportunity to build our profiles and bring golf into the mainstream. I will definitely make time to participate.”
For Indian women’s golf, the launch of IGPL is not just another event; it’s a significant step toward greater recognition, better funding, and stronger international presence. As Vani summed it up: “This is truly the start of a new era for Indian golf.”
