Hero Indian Open 2026: Akshay Bhatia, Francesco Molinari Headline Event With Record $2.55M Prize Pool

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New Delhi, March 10: The Hero Indian Open 2026, one of Asia's most prestigious golf tournaments, is set to return with a record prize purse of USD $2.55 million, marking the biggest prize pool in the event's history.

Scheduled to be held from March 26-29 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, the tournament will feature a world-class field led by rising PGA Tour star Akshay Bhatia and 2018 Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari.

Co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Indian Golf Union (IGU), the tournament continues to grow in stature on the global golfing calendar. The increased prize money represents a significant jump from the $2.25 million purse in 2025, further reinforcing the event's reputation as one of the flagship golf competitions in Asia.

Star Attraction: Akshay Bhatia

One of the biggest attractions at this year's edition will be 24-year-old American golfer of Indian origin Akshay Bhatia, who will make his much-anticipated appearance in India. Bhatia recently captured global attention after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 at Bay Hill, Orlando, a prestigious Signature Event on the PGA Tour. The victory, secured in a tense playoff, marked his third PGA Tour title and propelled him to second place in the FedEx Cup standings.

A Hero MotoCorp Global Brand Ambassador, Bhatia turned professional at just 17 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in golf. Over the past two seasons, he has qualified for the Tour Championship, finishing 16th in 2025, and also competed at the Masters Tournament in both 2024 and 2025.

Strong International Field

The tournament will also feature Italy's Francesco Molinari, the 2018 Open Championship winner and a three-time PGA Tour champion. Molinari, a six-time DP World Tour winner, played a crucial role in Europe's Ryder Cup victories in 2010, 2012 and 2018, famously securing the decisive point for Europe at Le Golf National in Paris.

Joining the field is Rayhan Thomas, another Hero MotoCorp brand ambassador who has been competing on the Korn Ferry Tour over the past two seasons.

The international lineup will also include defending champion Eugenio Chacarra of Spain, who made history in 2025 as the first Spaniard to win the Hero Indian Open. Chacarra defeated Keita Nakajima by two shots to claim the title.

Other notable international players confirmed for the event include Thomas Detry of Belgium, winner of the 2025 Phoenix Open, as well as DP World Tour season winners Casey Jarvis of South Africa, Spain's Nacho Elvira, and Germany's Freddy Schott.

Strong Indian Presence

The tournament will also feature several of India's top professional golfers. Veer Ahlawat, who finished runner-up in the past, will be among the leading Indian contenders alongside Yuvraj Sandhu, India's No.1 player in 2025. Other prominent Indian names in the field include Manu Gandas and Shaurya Bhattacharya, ensuring strong home representation.

Growing Legacy Of The Hero Indian Open

First played in 1964, the Hero Indian Open has grown into the country's most prestigious professional golf tournament. Hero MotoCorp has served as the title sponsor since 2005, with the partnership now entering its third decade, making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in Indian and Asian sport.

The event has also been co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour since 2015, further strengthening its global status and attracting top international golfers to India each year.

Organisers Confident Of Another Memorable Edition

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice President of Hero MotoCorp, emphasised the company's long-standing commitment to the tournament and the growth of golf in India.

"The association between Hero MotoCorp and the Hero Indian Open has grown stronger with every passing year and today stands as a proud partnership spanning more than two decades. With an enhanced prize purse and a world-class field featuring some of the finest talent from India and across the globe, we are delighted to usher in another exciting edition of the HIO."

Indian Golf Union President Brijinder Singh described the tournament as the crown jewel of Indian golf.

"The Hero Indian Open remains the crown jewel in the calendar of the Indian Golf Union and holds a special place in the history of Indian golf. This year's tournament promises to be bigger than ever as we welcome a stellar field of leading international players along with India's finest professionals."

Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operations Officer of the DP World Tour, also highlighted the importance of the event.

"We are looking forward to returning to India for another edition of the historic Hero Indian Open. DLF Golf and Country Club provides a world-class challenge for our players, and we anticipate another exciting week in Delhi."

Free Entry For Spectators

The DLF Golf and Country Club's Gary Player-designed course, widely regarded as one of the toughest layouts on the DP World Tour schedule, will once again host the tournament. According to club officials, the course is in excellent condition ahead of the championship.

In a major boost for fans, entry to the tournament will be free for spectators across all four days, offering golf enthusiasts the opportunity to witness top international and Indian players compete up close.