Rajasthan Regals Triumph in Historic DP World PGTI 72 The League Finale
In a spectacular display of skill and teamwork, the Rajasthan Regals have etched their name in the annals of Indian professional golf by winning the inaugural DP World PGTI's 72 The League powered by IndusInd Bank. The final match, held on Friday at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi, saw the Regals deliver a commanding 12-3 victory over the table-topping UP Prometheans, marking a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Revenge Served on the Green
After qualifying for the finale as the second-placed team from the five-round league stage, the Rajasthan Regals sought redemption against the UP Prometheans. This victory was particularly sweet, as it avenged their earlier 4-10 loss to the same team in the fifth round of the league. The Regals' performance showcased their resilience and strategic prowess, turning the tables in a high-stakes environment.
Key Moments and Match Highlights
The Prometheans attempted to gain an early advantage by fielding their strongest players, unbeaten captain Shaurya Bhattacharya and Arjun Prasad, in the singles matches. However, the Regals' Jairaj Singh Sandhu and Akshay Sharma dismantled this plan with impressive wins. Sandhu defeated Bhattacharya 4 & 3, while Sharma overcame Prasad 2 & 1, setting the tone for the rest of the competition.
With only one win needed from the remaining three matches, the Rajasthan Regals sealed their championship victory when the foursome pairing of Aryaman Mohan and Yuvraj Singh triumphed over Joshua Seale and Arjun Sharma on the 18th hole. Young Mohan had the honor of making the winning putt for his team, a moment he described as nerve-wracking yet exhilarating.
Post-Match Reactions and Team Spirit
Regals captain Ajeetesh Sandhu expressed immense pride in leading his team, highlighting the strong chemistry and depth that propelled them to success. "It's been an incredible honor to lead this bunch of players. From the moment of the auction, I knew we had a lot of depth in the team. However, more importantly, when we got together for the first time, everyone jelled with each other. The chemistry has been fantastic," Sandhu remarked. He added that this victory marks an unforgettable chapter in their careers, as they will forever be remembered as the first team to win this prestigious league.
Aryaman Mohan shared his personal experience of the winning putt, admitting to feeling immense pressure despite its short distance. "I've had putts to win before, and we are so accustomed to rolling in those four-footers every single day. But, on that one, I am not gonna lie, I couldn't feel my hands. I was a mess, but thankfully, Yuvraj helped me," Mohan confessed, underscoring the teamwork that defined their campaign.
On the opposing side, UP Prometheans captain Shaurya Bhattacharya reflected on the loss, attributing it to an off day. "It wasn't our day, I guess. We played well throughout the tournament, but it just didn't go our way. It will take a little time to sink in and we are all disappointed, but we had a great stretch going in and we gave ourselves a chance to win the trophy. We will come back strong next year," Bhattacharya stated, showing sportsmanship and determination for future competitions.
Prize Distribution and Additional Tournament Outcomes
The winning Rajasthan Regals were awarded the stunning Vibhor Sogani-designed 72 The League Trophy and a prize money of INR 1 crore. The runner-up UP Prometheans received a silver salver and INR 50 lakh. In other tournament highlights, the Charminar Champions secured the Plate Championship, finishing third overall with 122 points, ahead of the Kolkata Classics in fourth place with 110 points. This result was notable as Charminar had narrowly missed the finale in a countback to Rajasthan after both teams tallied 43 points in the league stage.
Final Match Results and Standings
Finale: Rajasthan Regals beat UP Prometheans: 12-3
- Singles: Jairaj Singh Sandhu beat Shaurya Bhattacharya 4&3; Akshay Sharma beat Arjun Prasad 2&1
- Fourballs: Michele Ortolani/Ajeetesh Sandhu lost to Abhinav Lohan/Manoj S 3&2; Chikkarangappa S/Dhruv Sheoran beat Gaurav Pratap Singh/Pranav Mardikar 2&1
- Foursomes: Aryaman Mohan/Yuvraj Singh beat Joshua Seale/Arjun Sharma 1-up
Plate Championship Standings:
- Charminar Champions – 122 points
- Kolkata Classics – 110 points
- Mumbai Aces – 109 points
- Nava Raipur – 109 points
This tournament, launched by DP World PGTI in partnership with Game of Life Sports (GOLS), has set a new benchmark in Indian professional golf, with the Rajasthan Regals leading the way as inaugural champions.
