Karandeep Kochhar admits concern over LIV-backed Asian Tour funding

Indian golfer Karandeep Kochhar on Thursday admitted that uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf-backed funding has become “a little concerning” for players on the Asian Tour, with the circuit’s calendar and prize pool heavily reliant on the Saudi-backed International Series.

The uncertainty also carries significance for Indian golf, with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) emerging as a feeder circuit for the Asian Tour and the International Series, where top performers earn opportunities to compete in LIV Golf Promotions.

“A chunk of our calendar and a chunk of the money being put into our tour comes from the International Series, which is basically funded by LIV Golf. So yes, it is a little concerning,” Karandeep, who finished fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship and tied fifth at the International Series Japan this year, told PTI in an interview.

“We do not have much clarity right now. They are saying funding is there till the end of 2026, so for this year I would like to believe we are good. But from next year onwards, it is definitely a little bit of a concern.”

However, the 26-year-old from Chandigarh, who won the maiden IGPL Invitational in Dubai in December and finished runner-up at the IGPL Invitational Kolkata last year, said he was not dwelling on factors beyond his control.

“My attitude and my hunger to win are always the same. Whether it is the Asian Tour playing for a million dollars or IGPL, my job is to show up and play golf to the best of my abilities.”

Karandeep also revealed that he missed this week’s Taiwan Glass Taifong Open after being involved in an accident while travelling to the airport on Sunday.

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“In the middle of the highway, we had this accident. So we had to go to the hospital. I had a minor cut on the head. I was given two injections for tetanus and painkillers. My head just was not feeling right because I was still quite heavy and having headaches. So I decided not to travel,” he said.

“That was a bummer, obviously, to not be able to play this week because I was playing well, but that is fine.”

Karandeep said representing India at the Asian Games remains a major ambition after narrowly missing out in previous cycles.

“I have been quite close to making the Asian Games and Olympic teams both times,” he said.

“When the Olympics happened in 2020, I was first or second reserve. In the Asian Games also, I had almost qualified before COVID changed everything.”

Though the Asian Games was not among his targets at the start of the season, his recent performances have brought him back into contention.

“If I am able to go, it would be awesome. To represent your country at the Asian Games would be special. It is happening in Japan this year and I played well there recently, so to go back and try to win a medal for India would be great.”

Karandeep said putting remains the final piece in his pursuit of a maiden Asian Tour title.

“If I could be a little more assertive with my putts, a little more confident and aggressive, that could be the thing which pushes me over the line and helps me get that first win,” he said.

“When I am putting confidently and not being tentative, I have played my best golf.”

The Chandigarh golfer also reflected on a difficult 2024 season when he lost his Asian Tour card and returned to the PGTI and Asian Development Tour.

“I think more than technical, it was solely mental,” he said.

“Sometimes when things are not going your way, you start questioning yourself and the work you are putting in. But I made a conscious effort not to find problems when there were not any.”

Karandeep eventually bounced back by winning on the Asian Development Tour in Egypt, a victory he described as “very timely”.

“Otherwise, I would not have been back on the Asian Tour this year,” he said.

“All I changed was my attitude — staying positive, staying patient, putting in the hard work and focusing only on what I could control.”

Looking ahead, Karandeep said his targets for the remainder of the season are clear.

“The goal now has shifted towards winning and trying to finish in the top 10 or top 15 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit,” said Karandeep, who is currently ranked 11th in the standings.

Published on May 07, 2026