Turkish Airlines has announced a strong line-up for the 2026 Turkish Airlines Open, with Major champion Francesco Molinari and Rolex Series winner Paul Waring confirmed to headline the event. The tournament will be held at the National Golf Club in Antalya from April 30 to May 3, marking the fifth and final stop of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing. Title-sponsored by Turkish Airlines since 2013, the tournament has consistently attracted global golfing icons, including Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.
Molinari, a six-time DP World Tour winner, made history in 2018 by becoming the first Italian to win a Major at The Open Championship. He has also been part of three victorious European Ryder Cup teams. Waring, meanwhile, secured his maiden Rolex Series title at the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, earning dual membership with the PGA Tour. Other notable participants include Andy Sullivan and Alex Fitzpatrick, with Sullivan currently ranked fourth in the Race to Dubai standings.
Turkish Airlines continues to expand its footprint in golf through initiatives like the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup, the world’s largest amateur golf tournament, recently held across 122 destinations in 83 countries. In Kolkata, the growing popularity of international golf events such as the Turkish Airlines Open is expected to boost interest among premium sports audiences and corporate travellers. Travel operators and sports tourism stakeholders in Kolkata see rising demand for luxury sports experiences, with Antalya emerging as an attractive destination for Indian golf enthusiasts.