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Kibirige makes strides in India’s PGTI DP World players' championship 2026

Kibirige’s position earned him sh6m from the tournament, bringing his total collection from the two events he has played in so far to sh12m.

Kibirige is beginning to settle in India. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

By: Michael Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision

After his 29th-place finish in the Professional Golf Tour of India’s (PGTI) DP World Players Championship 2026 at Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi, Marvin Kibirige says he is slowly settling in despite earlier challenges with the food.

Kibirige’s position earned him sh6m from the tournament, bringing his total collection from the two events he has played in so far to sh12m, including a similar amount he won from the Chhattisgarh Open Golf Championship 2026 at the par 69 Fairway Golf and Lake Resort course, New Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

“There were some challenges initially, especially with food. In the state where I first competed, 90 percent of the people are vegetarian, so it was a bit difficult in the first week, and I even fell sick while adjusting. But now I’m getting used to the food and the lifestyle here. These experiences are part of growing as a professional athlete, and I’m adapting step by step,” Kibirige stated.

Kibirige posted a level-par 140 over the first two rounds, securing a place among the 56 golfers who made the cut from 126 participants in the sh584 million prize event. He opened with a strong 4-under 66, recording six birdies and two bogeys, before a 4-over 74 placed him 33rd in the leaderboard. His 3-under 67 in the third round ensured he climbed to 20th position alongside Pawan Verma, Mari Muthu, and Angad Cheema, but he could not play under par in the last round, producing a 3-over 73 that had him drop to joint 29th alongside Dominic Piccirillo from the US and Indians Vishesh Sharma and Anshul Patel, who all finished with level-par 280 in 72 holes.

“It wasn’t the performance I was aiming for, but I’m treating it as a strong learning experience. Competing at this level is helping me understand where I need to improve, and I’m motivated to come back stronger in the next events,” Kibirige said.

“I’m settling in gradually. It’s a new environment and a different level of competition, so it takes a little time to fully adjust. But with every tournament, I feel more comfortable and confident.”

Since his 9th place finish in the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Qualifying School 2026 - Final Stage at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad, the Equity Bank sponsored Kibirige has kept himself up there amongst the more established golfers on tour. Next for Kibirige is the DP World Players Championship 2026-Tollygunge at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata, February 17-20, which also has a prize fund of sh589m. Uganda Professionals Open champion 2016 Joshua Seale, who also competes under the Ugandan flag, did not make the cut after he posted 13-over 153 in 36 holes.

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PGTI DP World players' championship 2026