NEW DELHI | October 18, 2026
The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) has appointed Rachana Bahadur, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Synchrony Financial in India, as an adviser to the organisation, bringing more than three decades of experience in banking, operations and risk management to Indian professional golf.
The appointment adds significant corporate leadership expertise to the PGTI as it looks to strengthen India’s professional golf ecosystem, develop emerging talent and create more opportunities for players to compete at higher levels.
Bahadur currently leads Synchrony India, where she is responsible for driving strategic growth, digital transformation and operational excellence while overseeing a dynamic workforce. Her experience in managing complex operations and building high-performing teams is expected to contribute to the PGTI’s strategic priorities.
Global Leadership Experience Across Major Financial Institutions
Bahadur has held senior leadership positions at leading financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. She also brings more than 18 years of global leadership experience across the United States, Asia and Europe.
Her professional background spans several areas relevant to organisational development, including risk management, operational strategy, workforce leadership and business transformation. This international exposure is expected to offer the PGTI a broader perspective as it works to expand the reach and competitiveness of professional golf in India.
The organisation also highlighted Bahadur’s people-first leadership philosophy, which emphasises trust, employee well-being and collaboration. These principles, it said, align with its vision for the future of Indian golf.
While the appointment is an advisory role, the addition of an experienced corporate executive could help bring new perspectives to discussions around organisational growth, talent development and the long-term sustainability of the professional golf ecosystem.
Rachana Bahadur: ‘An Honour to Join PGTI’
Reacting to her appointment, Bahadur said she was honoured to join the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India as an adviser.
She praised the organisation for its contribution to the development and promotion of professional golf in the country and welcomed its commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for players.
Bahadur said she looked forward to contributing to the PGTI’s mission of elevating Indian golf on the global stage.
Her remarks underline the importance of building a stronger pathway for golfers in India, where professional tours play a central role in providing competitive opportunities and supporting the progression of players.
Kapil Dev Welcomes the Appointment
Kapil Dev, president of the Professional Golf Tour of India, welcomed Bahadur to the organisation’s advisory board, describing her global leadership experience and expertise in building high-performing organisations as valuable additions.
He said her strategic insights would support the PGTI’s efforts to strengthen India’s professional golf ecosystem and help shape the organisation’s next phase of growth.
The appointment reflects the tour’s interest in drawing on leadership experience from outside the sporting world as it develops its broader organisational strategy.
What the Appointment Means for Indian Golf
Professional golf depends not only on competition and player performance but also on strong governance, commercial partnerships, talent development and sustainable organisational growth.
Executives with experience in international business and financial services can bring perspectives on strategic planning, operational efficiency and leadership development. In an advisory capacity, Bahadur’s contribution could help inform the PGTI’s future direction, although the organisation has not announced specific initiatives or targets linked to her appointment.
The immediate significance of the move lies in the experience she brings to the advisory board. Its longer-term impact will depend on how that expertise is translated into programmes and opportunities for professional golfers.
For the PGTI, the appointment adds an experienced international business leader to its advisory structure at a time when strengthening the foundations of Indian professional golf remains a key priority.
The bottom line: Rachana Bahadur’s appointment brings extensive banking and global leadership experience to the DP World PGTI, with the potential to support its efforts to develop talent, strengthen its organisation and raise the profile of Indian golf internationally.
