Teen Golf Sensation Kartik Singh Makes History as India's Youngest Professional
While most teenagers juggle academic pressures with casual sporting interests, 16-year-old Kartik Singh is already constructing an extraordinary professional golf career that defies his youth. His remarkable journey from a curious child at a Navy golf course to a sought-after professional athlete showcases exceptional talent and unwavering discipline.
Record-Breaking Auction and Early Beginnings
The recent 72 The League golf auction highlighted Kartik's skyrocketing value when the Mumbai Aces secured him for an impressive Rs 14.40 lakh. This amount represents nearly five times his Rs 3 lakh base price, establishing him as the youngest acquisition in the league's history. Born into a Navy family where both parents served as officers, Kartik inherited early lessons in structure and discipline, though golf wasn't initially part of the plan.
His introduction to the sport occurred at age five at the Navy Golf Course in Kochi, where he first picked up a club while observing his father play. Despite parental suggestions to pursue tennis or swimming, a local coach named Alex quickly identified Kartik's unique potential. Within just three months of formal training, Kartik achieved runner-up position at a South Zone Feeder Tour event, signaling his prodigious talent.
Professional Development and National Recognition
Concerned about premature hype, Kartik's father arranged a rigorous week-long evaluation under veteran coach Sridhar Sadashivam at the KGA facility. "I haven't witnessed a more talented six-year-old in my three decades of coaching," Sridhar declared emphatically. This assessment prompted Kartik's mother to relocate to Gurgaon, enabling his formal training at the prestigious DLF Golf Academy.
By age 13, Kartik had ascended to India's number one ranking in his category, earning him a wildcard induction into the national amateur team by the Indian Golf Union. His professional breakthrough arrived in September 2025 when, at just 15 years, 8 months, and 5 days old, he turned professional on the IGPL Tour, becoming the youngest Indian golf professional in recorded history.
Competitive Achievements and Future Ambitions
Kartik secured his full card for the competitive 2026 Asian Development Tour and demonstrated his prowess earlier this year with a tied-fourth finish at the Chhattisgarh Open on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). His impressive 22-under aggregate score at that tournament reinforced his status as a rising star.
Now participating in 72 The League, Kartik expresses particular enthusiasm for the match play format. "My competitors become my teammates, creating a uniquely interesting dynamic," he observes. With his father Dhananjay serving as his caddie, Kartik's ambitions remain unequivocal: to compete and triumph at golf's highest international levels, potentially representing India in future Olympic competitions.
His journey from Navy golf course observer to professional athlete exemplifies how early talent identification, family sacrifice, and structured coaching can cultivate sporting excellence. As Kartik continues developing his game against seasoned professionals, the golf world watches closely, anticipating further milestones from this exceptional young athlete.
