At 16, Kartik Singh Eyes the PGA Tour: Mumbai Aces Teen Opens Up on Turning Pro, PGTI Move and Learning From Legends

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New Delhi, Feb 23: At an age when most teenagers are balancing school and sport, 16-year-old Kartik Singh is navigating life on the professional golf circuit. The youngest player in 72 The League and a member of the Mumbai Aces franchise, Singh is already thinking several steps ahead - and that road, he says, leads to the PGA Tour.

In an exclusive interaction with myKhel, the teenager spoke candidly about turning professional at 15, leaving IGPL to join the Professional Golf Tour of India, handling expectations and modelling his pathway on Arjun Atwal - the brand ambassador of 72 The League and India's first PGA Tour winner.

"Last Year I Decided I Would Turn Pro"

For Singh, the jump from amateur to professional was not sudden. It was carefully thought through. "Last year only I was thinking to turn pro this year," he revealed. "So last year only I decided that most likely I will turn pro this year and try to move to the next level of golf."

An opportunity with IGPL came soon after, prompting him to make the transition earlier than many expected. But 2024 marks his first full-fledged season on the PGTI.

"So this is my first year on the PGTI," he said, describing it as a crucial step in his development.

Why He Returned to PGTI

Singh's move away from IGPL became a talking point within Indian golf circles, but the young pro insists the decision was purely career-driven.

"The main thing - my goal is to play on the PGA Tour like Arjun sir. And this is how he was able to reach the PGA Tour," Singh explained. "So I am also going to try to follow the same path through the PGTI."

Atwal, who won the 2010 Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour and now serves as brand ambassador of 72 The League, represents the benchmark Singh wants to emulate.

Singh believes the PGTI's traditional four-round format with a halfway cut mirrors global tournaments more closely.

"This is like the more competitive format with the four rounds and with the halfway cut. So this is how all the international tournaments are conducted. I think that's why it's good to play in the same format and in higher competitions."

His time in IGPL was far from unsuccessful. He finished runner-up twice and ended fourth in the Order of Merit, performances that helped him secure a spot at Asian Tour Qualifying School and earn an Asian Development Tour (ADT) card.

"This year I am going to be playing that as well," he added, confirming he will compete on both PGTI and ADT circuits.

From Amateur Star to Young Pro

Singh's amateur résumé laid the foundation for his rapid rise. The Indian Golf Union (IGU) selected him to represent the country at several major international events, including the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Nomura Cup, Australian Amateur and South African Amateur.

"The IGU was very helpful. They selected me in the national team to represent India in a lot of international tournaments," he said. "The field there is also very strong and it helped me prepare for the professional level."

He believes the intensity of those international amateur events eased his transition into professional competition.

"The level there is similar to the professional level. It helped me prepare because all the international players are very competitive."

Competing Against Players Older Than Him

Life on tour is markedly different from junior golf. Singh now shares fairways with players who have been professionals for decades.

"Most of them have been playing the professional circuit for 10, 15, 20 years already. Some of them turned professional before I was born," he said with a smile.

While he admits junior tournaments felt more comfortable due to similar age groups, he does not feel intimidated.

"A lot of the players I've played with recently, I used to watch them as a spectator when I was younger. I'm really grateful that I'm able to play with them now and compete with them."

As part of Mumbai Aces in 72 The League's team-based format, he expects the bonding element to accelerate his learning curve.

"I think the league will help me get more familiar with my fellow players. It's a team format, so the bonding will be good overall."

Pressure? "I Just Focus on My Game"

Despite being labelled a prodigy and carrying the tag of the league's youngest player, Singh does not dwell on expectations.

"Not really. I don't think about it that much. I just try to focus only on the game and try to play as good as I can."

He acknowledges that professional golf demands sharper consistency.

"Playing with professionals in general pushed me more to improve. The competition is more than the amateur, so it drives me to perform and practice harder."

Strategically, Singh prefers preparation over mid-round improvisation.

"I normally make my strategy beforehand in the practice round. I try to see which club and which strategy will be the best way to play that course. Then I just go by my pre-planned strategy."

Weather and course conditions may alter decisions, but structure remains central to his approach.

Balancing Academics and Golf

Singh is pursuing his education through open schooling but is transparent about priorities.

"I will still do the degree and everything, but that's not my main priority because I already have the career in golf."

He views academics as a secondary track while focusing primarily on building his professional career.

Life Beyond the Course

Tour life, especially in his first full professional season, has left little room for leisure.

"The entire day goes in the tournament only. You practice, play five hours, practice more, do stretching and cool down. By the end you just want to lie down and watch TV."

Mentally, however, he feels energised rather than exhausted.

"I enjoy playing golf and I enjoy competing."

Future Plans

For 2026, Singh's goals are clear and measurable.

"My plan is to do as good as I can on PGTI and ADT and hopefully qualify for the Asian Tour next year. That's my main goal."

At 16, Kartik Singh is not just the youngest name in 72 The League's Mumbai Aces roster. He is part of a new generation of Indian golfers choosing structured pathways, global ambition and early professionalism.

With Arjun Atwal - the league's brand ambassador - setting the benchmark and the PGTI offering the competitive platform, Singh's journey has begun with clarity, courage and conviction.