The Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship in India has been forced into a last-minute change. The event was originally co-sanctioned by the HotelPlanner Tour, the developmental wing of the DP World Tour. However, it will no longer carry the HotelPlanner Tour’s sanction following difficulties faced by players and staff traveling via the Middle East.

“Due to the ongoing military action in the Middle East, HotelPlanner Tour staff and players are currently facing significant travel disruption ahead of next week’s Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship in Ahmedabad, India, with many scheduled to travel via the Middle East,” read the official statement from the HotelPlanner Tour.

They further clarified, “As a result, the decision has been taken with the Professional Golf Tour of India to withdraw the HotelPlanner Tour sanction from this event.”

It is a major blow for pros as they won’t earn any points toward the Road to Mallorca, the season-long points race to earn a DP World Tour card. For rising stars in Asia and for pros grinding in the developmental tour, it will mean a wasted opportunity after a massive hope.

The Indorama Ventures Open was added to the HotelPlanner schedule after the runaway success of the DP World India Championship. It was part of a doubleheader in India alongside the PGTI India Open in Gurugram.

“These events are incredibly important to our schedule, delivering additional playing opportunities for our members on two fantastic courses,” Jamie Hodges, HotelPlanner Tour Director, said in January.

However, multiple HotelPlanner Tour personnel and competitors have been struggling to either exit or transit through the Middle East. This unprecedented scenario forced the officials to resort to the harsh decision.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 12 at Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad and will conclude on March 15. But now it will proceed solely under the sanction of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

The statement, however, didn’t touch upon the situation of the PGTI Open. As of now, it’s still co-sanctioned by the HotelPlanner Tour. The tournament is scheduled for March 19 at Classic Golf & Country Club.

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has severely affected air travel across the region. It has led to airport closures and major disruptions in international routes. It is the second time the ongoing conflict affected professional golf.

The LIV Golf players, too, faced travel disruptions owing to the current geopolitical climate.

Jon Rahm arranges rescue flight for stranded LIV golfers to reach Hong Kong

Eight LIV golfers, including Adrian Meronk, Laurie Canter, and Lee Westwood, faced extreme difficulties in returning from the Middle East. While LIV Hong Kong was knocking on their doors, they failed to board flights as various locations of the subcontinent air travel facility were disrupted. 

LIV officials were forced to keep alternate players on standby. Several players were scheduled to fly from Muscat airport in Oman to Thailand and then to Hong Kong. Notably, Dubai and Oman have stopped flights from their airports for an indefinite period. 

Reflecting on the scenario, Caleb Suratt, who was stuck in the Middle East, added, “It was terrifying. But since then, it’s been O.K. It was bad Sunday and Monday here with missile interceptions.”

Amid such a situation, Jon Rahm stepped in to help the LIV Golf players, as he reportedly asked Legion XIII associates, “Do whatever you have to do, but get them out of there.”

Notably, the airspace opened at Muscat airport. Golfers had a 280-mile drive to the airport from Dubai. Rahm arranged for a private jet resorting to his partnership with the aviation company, VistaJet. 

Boarding the flight, the golfers landed in Hong Kong and teed off at the third LIV event of the season. But the HotelPlanner Tour situation shows the military conflict is leaving its mark on professional golf.