Only 16, Kartik tees up with the grown-ups in big league

NEW DELHI: When most teens are balancing classrooms with casual sporting ambitions, Kartik Singh is already building an enviable resume. At just 16, he has travelled the world, represented the country and stepped into the professional arena with a composure far beyond his years.His rising stock was evident at the 72 The League golf auction recently, where the Mumbai Aces secured him for Rs 14.40 lakh, nearly five times his Rs 3 lakh base price, making him the youngest buy.Born into the Navy, with both parents having served as officers, discipline and structure were ingrained early. Golf, however, was not part of the original plan. Kartik first picked up a club at the Navy Golf Course in Kochi at the age of five while watching his father play.His parents nudged him towards tennis or swimming but a local coach, Alex, quickly sensed something special. Within three months of taking up golf, Kartik finished runner-up at a South Zone Feeder Tour event. Still wary of early hype, his father arranged for a week-long evaluation under veteran coach Sridhar Sadashivam at the KGA. “I haven’t seen a more talented six-year-old in my 30 years of coaching,” Sridhar said.Kartik’s mom moved to Gurgaon to enable formal training at the DLF Golf Academy. At 13, Kartik rose to India No. 1 in his category. The Indian Golf Union inducted him into the national amateur team as a wildcard.In Sept 2025, Kartik turned professional on the IGPL Tour at just 15 years, 8 months, 5 days, becoming the youngest Indian golf professional.He secured his full card for the 2026 Asian Development Tour. Earlier in Feb, he finished tied-4th at the Chhattisgarh Open on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) with a 22-under aggregate score.Playing 72 The League, Kartik is excited about the match play format. “My competitors are my teammates, an interesting experience,” he says.With his father Dhananjay as caddie now, Kartik’s ambition is clear: to compete and win at the highest level.