Turkish Airlines on Tuesday confirmed that Major champion Francesco Molinari and Rolex Series winner Paul Waring will headline the Turkish Airlines Open 2026, scheduled to be held from April 30 to May 3 at the National Golf Club in Antalya. The tournament marks the fifth and final event of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, forming part of the first phase of the 2026 global schedule. The airline, which has been the title sponsor since 2013, continues to position the event as a key platform to bring together global golf stars and fans. Past editions have featured leading names such as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.
Molinari, a six-time DP World Tour winner, made history in 2018 as the first Italian to win The Open Championship and has been part of three Ryder Cup-winning European teams. Waring secured his first Rolex Series title at the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, earning dual membership with the PGA Tour. Andy Sullivan and Alex Fitzpatrick are also set to compete, with Sullivan currently ranked fourth in the Race to Dubai. Turkish Airlines’ golf portfolio extends beyond professional tournaments, with the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup. the world’s largest amateur golf event recently conducted across 122 destinations in 83 countries.
From a Kolkata market perspective, the event highlights growing opportunities in premium sports tourism and aviation-linked travel demand. Industry stakeholders in Kolkata note increasing interest among affluent travellers for international sporting events, with Antalya emerging as a preferred destination. The tournament is expected to further strengthen outbound travel demand from eastern India while enhancing brand visibility for Turkish Airlines in the region.
