Pawan Munjal: Putting India On The Global Golf Map

In An Email Interview, Hero MotoCorp Chairman, MD & CEO, Pawan Munjal, Tells Golf Digest India About His Vision Of Expanding The Company To 50 Countries And His Commitment Towards Golf.

- Rohit Bhardwaj

Golf is one of the fastest growing sport in India and the one per-son who has single-handedly put it on the path to progress has been Hero MotoCorp Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, Pawan Munjal. Golf never was a natural choice for young children but over the years the success of Indian professionals overseas has managed to change the perception. Thanks to the platform provided by the Hero Indian Open, which has not only grown to become a European Tour tri-sanctioned tournament along with the Asian Tour and PGTI since 2015, but is also the highest prize money event in the country. This year the Hero Indian Open, to be staged at the DLF Golf & Country Club from March 9 to 12, will be a $1.75 million (Rs 11.85 crore approx) tournament, an increase of $90,000 since the last edition.

The corporate czar has also been supporting the Women’s Indian Open since its inaugural edition in 2007. In 2010, Hero became the title sponsor of the tournament and lifted it to the Ladies European Tour (LET) the same year.

Being an avid golfer himself, Munjal not only brought 14-time Major champion and former World No. 1 Tiger Woods to India in early 2014 but also hosts the American’s event on the PGA Tour, the $3.5 million Hero World Challenge.

In an email interview, Munjal tells Golf Digest India how Hero MotoCorp has expanded its presence to 33 countries worldwide, it’s $126 million investment in an R&D facility in Jaipur and the company’s commitment to promoting golf in the country. Edited excerpts:

GDI: Hero has been long-time sponsors of prestigious golf events – both the men’s and women’s Indian Open. What prompted you to decide that you should invest in golf?