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This Week in Golf: HERO Indian Open takes centre stage ahead of The 2026 Masters in Augusta
From New Delhi to Texas and Arizona, it’s a week of top-class golf with regional stars in focus and pre-Masters excitement building
- PUBLISHED: Tue 24 Mar 2026, 9:11 PM
- By:
- Nick Tarratt, Guest Golf Writer
The men’s golfing calendar is all about pre-Masters preparation this week, with just two weeks to go before the first Major of the season at Augusta National, players are sharpening their games across the globe.
After an exciting three-week stretch in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Africa, LIV Golf takes a break, while the PGA Tour heads to Texas and the LPGA to Arizona.
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But all eyes in the region are on India for a favourite stop on the DP World Tour: the HERO Indian Open at DLF Golf & Country Club, New Delhi. This is the last DP World Tour tournament before The Masters and promises a strong field, including UAE and regional players.
Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas will be competing on a tournament invitation, representing Dubai Creek Resort, while David Puig, recently in form on LIV Golf, also lines up. Other UAE residents in action include Julien Guerrier, Ewen Ferguson, and Adrian Otaegui.
Indian stars to watch include Shubhankar Sharma and rising talent Kartik Singh, alongside a host of past DP World Tour winners. A special invite goes to Akshay Bhatia, the stylish left-hander born in California to Indian parents, who previously lived in Delhi. Bhatia boasts seven professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour, and recently claimed the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He currently ranks 22nd in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
The DLF Golf & Country Club, established in 1999, is a challenging layout stretching up to 7,416 yards and regarded as one of the most demanding courses on the DP World Tour. Since first hosting the HERO Indian Open in 2017, winners have included SSP Chawrasia (Ind), Matt Wallace (Eng), Marcel Siem (Ger), Keita Nakajima (Jpn), and Eugenio Chacarra (US).
With the competition this week, one thing is certain: the eventual champion will have demonstrated both physical endurance and mental strength, proving themselves on a true test of golfing skill.
This Week's Schedule
PGA Tour: Texas Children’s Houston Open
Thu 26 – Sun 29 Mar 2026
Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
Purse: $9.9 million
DP World Tour: HERO Indian Open
Thu 26 – Sun 29 Mar 2026
DLF Golf & Country Club, New Delhi, India
Purse: $2.55 million
LPGA Tour: Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
Thu 26 – Sun 29 Mar 2026
Whirlwind Golf Club, Arizona
Purse: $2.25 million