Bengaluru, 21-03-2023

Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge tees off at KGA on March 23

• The Challenge Tour & TATA Steel PGTI co-sanctioned event to offer prize purse of US$ 300,000

• Leading players in the field include Indians Udayan Mane, Khalin Joshi, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, Aman Raj and Challenge Tour stars John Murphy, Matteo Manassero & Ugo Coussaud

• Golf legend and Black Bull Ambassador Sir Nick Faldo will participate in the Pro-Am to kickstart event  

The European Challenge Tour, TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Black Bull Scotch Whisky today jointly announced the inaugural Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge.

The tournament co-sanctioned by the Challenge Tour and the TATA Steel PGTI, carries a prize purse of US$ 300,000 and will be played at the pristine Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) golf course in Bengaluru from March 23 – 26, 2023.

The Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge is the first event to be jointly staged by the Challenge Tour and the TATA Steel PGTI following the announcement of the strategic partnership between the DP World Tour and the TATA Steel PGTI earlier this year.

The leading Indian players in the field include former PGTI Order of Merit champions Udayan Mane (Olympian) and Khalin Joshi, current PGTI Order of Merit leader Sachin Baisoya, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Aman Raj, to name a few.

The Challenge Tour is where the next generation of golfing stars find their feet and players including Irishman John Murphy, Frenchman Ugo Coussaud and Italian Matteo Manassero, the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, will tee it up in India this week.

Black Bull Scotch Whisky is the lead sponsor of the tournament’s Pro-Am which will be played on Wednesday March 22, 2023. The Pro-Am event will see Black Bull Brand Ambassador, Sir Nick Faldo, lead the sponsor team.

Mr. Euan Shand, Chairman, Duncan Taylor, said, “We are delighted to be sponsoring this exclusive event as we launch our new whisky range ‘Tale of Two Legends’ with Sir Nick Faldo. Golf and whisky have their roots in Scotland and we’re proud to be showcasing Black Bull Scotch Whisky in association with a Challenge Tour event.

“Together with Sir Nick, we’ve handpicked some of the best whiskies within our archives and blended them meticulously to create four stunning blends that are worthy of celebrating some of the iconic times in his life, and what better way to launch these!”

Speaking at the press conference, golf legend and six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, said, “I’m extremely excited about launching this event as the brand ambassador of Black Bull Scotch Whisky. The most important thing is to give golfers an opportunity to compete. Then it’s down to the professional to prove himself. The partnership between the DP World Tour and the PGTI provides a great opportunity for Indian professionals to compete on the DP World Tour and at Challenge Tour events. It provides a path for them. So I see this alliance as a big step forward for Indian professional golf.

“I’ve been following Indian golf for a long time. The country has produced some outstanding golfing talent such as the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh and Anirban Lahiri. But I feel India can produce many more champion golfers through opportunities provided by events such as these. Golf has a longer lifespan than many other sports, you can survive 30 years in golf. So a lot of Indian golfers, if they’re good enough, can make a career out of it.

“I’m really looking forward to playing the Pro-Am at the KGA tomorrow. I haven’t played here before but the course looks in excellent shape and the weather is just perfect for golf.”

Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Challenge Tour back in India as part of our strategic partnership with the DP World Tour. The inaugural Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge has been a highly anticipated event as it will mark the return of the PGTI to the magnificent KGA after a long gap and will be witness to an exciting contest as the leading golfing talents from the Challenge Tour and the PGTI go head to head.

“We thank Black Bull Scotch Whisky and KGA for partnering with the PGTI and the Challenge Tour in launching the event and thereby creating more playing opportunities for Indian professionals. We are honoured to have golf legend Sir Nick Faldo amongst us at the Press Conference and the Pro-Am. His presence gives further impetus to the event and serves as a huge inspiration for all the professionals competing.”

Mr. Prithviraj Urs, President, KGA, said, “It's an absolute honour for us at KGA to be part of this Challenge Tour Golf Tournament. Coming at a time when we are celebrating our Golden Jubilee is wonderful. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will be a moment in KGA’s history that will always be remembered. Having Sir Nick Faldo in attendance to mark this historic moment makes it extremely special.”

Mr. Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “I am delighted that the Challenge Tour is back in India for the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge. We enjoyed a memorable visit to India in 2013 as Shiv Kapur claimed his maiden victory on home soil.

“We give special thanks to Black Bull Scotch Whisky for their sponsorship and work in bringing this event to fruition. We are also very grateful for the commitment of the TATA Steel PGTI and the DP World Tour because these events have been made possible by their partnership, which is aimed at developing golf in India and creating a pathway for the country’s top players to reach the highest levels of the men’s professional game.

“I would also like to thank everyone at KGA for their help and hospitality. Through our collective partnership and teamwork, we will showcase the beauty of India worldwide and our members will be treated to a first-class tournament.”

Black Bull Scotch Whisky was first produced as a blend by the Dundee-based blender George Willsher and Company in 1864.  Now owned by Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, the concept for a high strength and high malt content is still the way the whisky is produced to this day.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is a family-owned business which was set up as a cask broker and trading company in 1938. With an impressive portfolio they have been laying down casks from premium distilleries for decades. The company now owns one of the largest privately held collection of vintage and rare scotch whisky casks.

KGA, the venue for the event, is a 125-acre oasis which is home to a 7219-yard par-72 course initially designed by the famous Peter Thompson and in 2009 redesigned by Howard Swan. The world-class fairways and greens complemented by numerous water hazards and the prevailing winds make the KGA one of the most challenging golf courses in India.

Picture Caption:

L - R: Indian professional Aman Raj, Mr. U S Mundy, CEO, PGTI, Mr. Prithviraj Urs, President, KGA, Golf Legend Sir Nick Faldo, Mr. Shawn Smith, Director, Duncan Taylor, Mr. Jordi Garcia Pinto, Tournament Director, Challenge Tour and Challenge Tour professional John Murphy of Ireland, pose with the trophy at the Press Conference on Tuesday.