PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl on Wednesday stated 17 golfers, together with the seasoned Gaganjeet Bhullar, have been issued present trigger notices, which the gamers described as “provisional suspension” for collaborating within the Yuvraj Singh-backed Indian Golf Premier League.
A closing resolution on the matter will likely be taken after a disciplinary committee assembly on September 27. Olympian and Asian Tour winner Bhullar, Aman Raj, Harendra Gupta, Karandeep Kochhar and Sachin Baisoya are among the many gamers who’ve been hit by the motion for that includes within the IGPL at Jaypee Greens, Larger Noida, from September 17–19.
It clashed with PGTI’s Chennai Open, which has grow to be some extent of competition. Johl maintained that PGTI had no objection to members enjoying in outdoors occasions, offered they don’t conflict with its calendar.
“If it’s outdoors our calendar, no drawback. Go and play. However when it clashes with our occasions, it’s completely different. What can we inform our sponsors?” Johl requested in an interplay with PTI.
“That’s why we stated: don’t play these tournaments throughout our weeks. However their response is, ‘We’ll play every time we like. Typically PGTI, typically IGPL. However you possibly can’t be using two boats on the similar time,” he stated, drawing parallels with worldwide excursions just like the PGA and DP World Tour.
“It’s a rule of our society. In the event you violate it, there needs to be an inquiry. We now have referred to as them for a listening to to elucidate their viewpoint, and solely then will we decide,” Johl added.
The newly-launched 11-event league was launched this month in partnership with the Indian Golf Union and the Girls’s Golf Affiliation of India.
Led by Yuvraj, the IGPL has scheduled 11 tournaments this 12 months, with occasions already held in Chandigarh (Sept 10–12) and Larger Noida (Sept 17–19).
A supply near Bhullar, nevertheless, countered that PGTI’s place was unfair as gamers are usually not underneath any contractual obligation.
“They’re impartial professionals who are usually not underneath any contract with PGTI…It’s humorous to see a former cricketer making an attempt to ban skilled golfers,” the supply stated.
Baisoya, in the meantime, alleged “psychological harassment” over tee occasions and pro-am obligations after he determined to take part within the IGPL and has moved the Delhi Excessive Courtroom on this.
“PGTI says you’re doing one individual’s job; you can not do one other individual’s job. However there is no such thing as a job in PGTI, we don’t get a wage from PGTI,” Basoiya stated.
“We took a keep for 4–5 tournaments and saved enjoying. As a a number of winner, I used to be required to play the Professional-Am. However each morning, I’d be advised my amateurs hadn’t turned up after which threatened with a tremendous if I didn’t present up.
“On high of that, my tee occasions had been intentionally set on the extremes — both the primary slot at 7 am or the final one within the afternoon. The identical was performed with different IGPL gamers. It was psychological harassment,” he alleged.
Basoiya was despatched a present trigger discover on September 21 after he had already reached Hyderabad for the continuing Telangana Golconda Masters.
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“After the JP Inexperienced occasion on the twentieth, PGTI mailed suspension notices to all IGPL gamers and eliminated their names from the entry listing, however not mine. So I flew to Hyderabad for the following occasion,” he stated.
“On the twenty first, I checked in, however the subsequent day I used to be advised I couldn’t play. No prior intimation — only a suspension.” Responding to the allegations, Johl stated, “The delay occurred as a result of I needed to get the letter vetted by our lawyer. For the reason that matter is sub judice, we couldn’t take any possibilities.
“We finally gave him the letter two days in the past, however the authorized overview took an additional 20–25 hours. Actually, I felt unhappy that he needed to go all the way in which there after which return due to this delay.” Gamers have additionally questioned alleged inconsistencies within the implementation of guidelines, mentioning that the Governing Physique and Disciplinary Motion Committee members of the PGTI had been allowed to play in a Pune match that clashed with a Tour’s Subsequent Gen occasion.
Johl countered that these gamers had sought and acquired prior permission.
“In the event you ask for permission, we are going to think about it. I gave approval to some gamers, even for IGPL’s Chandigarh leg. However you possibly can’t simply withdraw from one in every of our occasions and play elsewhere with out clearance,” he stated.
The IGPL, on its half, stated it “acknowledges and understands the significance of upholding the principles and rules each skilled physique units for its members.
“On the similar time, we additionally consider strongly in championing participant rights, range of enjoying alternatives, and the general progress of golf in India.
“We’re right here to develop qualitative competitors alternatives and contribute to the game’s ecosystem.”
Printed on Sep 24, 2025