Visakhapatnam: The inaugural edition of the Andhra Open begins on April 7 at the picturesque East Point Golf Club (EPGC) in Visakhapatnam and is an exciting addition to the Professional Golf Tour of India calendar. The tournament runs until April 10 and has a total prize money of ₹1 crore, featuring some of the top names in Indian golf.
The field features leading Indian professionals including Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, as well as Veer Ahlawat, Om Prakash Chouhan, Manu Gandas, Angad Cheema, Honey Baisoya and Ajeetesh Sandhu. Cheema returns to a venue where he enjoyed success in 2024, adding even more interest to the competition.
Among the international participants, N Thangaraja from Sri Lanka, who won this course in 2023, is at the forefront of the overseas challenge. A total of 18 foreign players from nine countries will compete. Local hopes rest on Visakhapatnam-based professionals S. Muthu and Mohammed Rahman.
The Andhra Open 2026 is supported by venue East Point Golf Club and event partner Andhra Pradesh Golf Association. The PGTI also acknowledged the support of its umbrella partner DP World and tour partners such as Amul, Axis Bank, Campa, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Kalyani, Golf Plus Monthly and Golf Design India.
Ahead of the event, MSN Raju, Honorary Secretary, EPGC, highlighted the club’s rich heritage and modern transformation. The course, founded in 1884 and relocated in 1964, was expanded into a championship facility in 2021 after the site was expanded. It was later named the best renovated golf course in India in 2022. Raju noted that the course continues to attract strong participation due to its challenging yet entertaining layout.
He also highlighted the club’s focus on grassroots football development, with almost 100 children enrolled in its junior program and free coaching offered to underprivileged youngsters.
Amandeep Johl, CEO, PGTI expressed his excitement about returning to Visakhapatnam and called it an upcoming golf hub. He said the Andhra Open was in line with PGTI’s long-term goal of expanding the sport across India and showcasing new destinations.
Johl also praised the efforts of the state government under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in promoting infrastructure, tourism and global engagement, adding that such initiatives strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position as a growing hub for sports and tourism.
The par-72, 6,871-yard EPGC course surrounded by lush greenery and water bodies promises to provide a competitive and visually appealing stage for what is expected to be a memorable first edition of the Andhra Open.
