DP World extends deal with Euro Tour, DPWIC returns in 2026

Haotong Li (from left), Elvis Smylie, DPWT CEO Guy Kinnings, DPW Deputy CEO and CFO Yuvraj Narayan, Daniel van Otterdijk pf DPW, Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai at the announcement of the expanded partnership between DP World and the European Tour in Dubai on Tuesday, courtesy of DPWT.

By Rahul Banerji

Building on the success and enthusiasm of Indian fans, the DP World India Championship will return in 2026, aiming to become a permanent fixture on the DP World (European) Tour calendar.

In a statement on Tuesday ahead of the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai, the Tour said: “The event highlights DP World’s shared vision to expand the game’s reach in emerging markets.”

England’s Tommy Fleetwood won the inaugural edition of the $4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club and the event’s return next year has now been officially confirmed.

On the day, DP World also extended its partnership with the European Tour until 2035, establishing an annual award named after Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy, which goes to the best-performing DPWT member in golf’s four majors.

Speaking on the occasion about his first visit to India, McIlroy said: “I enjoyed it, I don’t know if I have a lasting memory. I think I will remember not hitting a driver for four days.

Great memories

“But the hospitality, the welcome, the generosity of the people there, it was absolutely wonderful.

“I would say the Diwali celebration on Friday evening and being able to spend some time with Sachin Tendulkar was a pretty big highlight.”

Speaking about the award in his name, McIlroy said: “McIlroy said: “To have something named after you, which will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honor and it is very humbling.

“It certainly means a lot to me because the DP World Tour was where I started my career. I’ve always loved playing on it and of course representing Europe and the Tour in the Ryder Cup.”

“I am incredibly proud to be the first European to achieve the career Grand Slam. The majors represent the pinnacle of our sport, and I hope my success can inspire other DP World Tour members to pursue and achieve their own dreams in the years to come.”

Buoyed by the success of the Delhi event, Deputy CFO and CEO of DPW Yuvraj Narayan said: “New events like the recent DP World India Championship demonstrate how we are supporting the long-term growth and accessibility of the game.

“Our partnership with the DP World Tour reflects how sport can connect markets and communities, just as we do through global trade.

Long term investment

“This long-term investment demonstrates our belief in the future of the Tour and our commitment to making golf more inclusive and sustainable.”

Under the new partnership agreement, the largest in the tour’s history, DP World will remain as title partner and official logistics partner until 2035.

By 2025, the DP World Tour featured 42 tournaments in 26 countries with record prizes and a growing fan base, making golf more global and connected, the statement said.

Guy Kinnings, CEO of DPWT, added: “The first phase of our relationship focused on increasing global awareness of the DP World brand and building a strong pipeline of new business leads for their industry-leading services.

“It has been a huge success over the past four years.

“The partnership has also evolved and will ensure that DP World continues to be an integral part of delivering our global tournament schedule, utilizing their supply chain expertise.

“This is a truly integrated partnership that will continue to deepen over the next decade.”

Pole position

On Sunday, the final day of the season-ending Rolex Series event, the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned, with McIlroy handily leading England’s Marco Penge in the standings.

If he is able to successfully defend his 767-point lead over Penge, it would give the Northern Irishman his fourth consecutive Harry Vardon Trophy and a seventh in total, one behind all-time winner Colin Montgomerie of Scotland.

With 2,000 points going to the winner at Jumeirah Golf Estates this weekend, McIlroy knows victory is not a foregone conclusion, but he will be looking to move further up a list that includes some illustrious names, including Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros.

“To go from six to seven titles, to go one past Seve would be great. To go one closer to Monty (Montgomerie) would be great.

“But I think when I say I’m not chasing anything, I think if I focus my energy on certain tournaments and try to play well in certain tournaments, the Race to Dubai will almost take care of itself.”

Also read: Rai beats Fleetwood in HSBC play-off for second Rolex Series title

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