Vijay Kumar, who passed away on Tuesday, aged 57, following a cardiac arrest at his home in the northern Indian city of Lucknow, will forever be remembered as a legend of the sport in the country. Story by By Joy Chakravarty – Asian Tour contributor.

Winner of nearly 100 titles on the domestic PGTI since debuting as a professional in 1988, his biggest win was the 2002 Royal Challenge Indian Open at Delhi Golf Club. That Sunday, he did not have his A-game but crafted a typically gritty one-under par 71 round to beat Canadian Rick Gibson by two shots.

The Indian Open title was his only win on the Asian Tour, a number that would have increased several times if not for his reluctance to travel outside the country. It wasn’t the golf courses or finances that were an issue; it was his craving for Indian food for every meal and the prospect of missing the several hours he’d spend chit-chatting with his friends in the caddyshack after every round.

I once asked him why he hadn’t played more in Asia, and his reply was quintessential Vijay. “Why do you work hard? So that you can earn a decent salary that takes care of the family and provides for good food. I can do that playing in India, so why put myself through all the trouble,” he explained.

A self-taught player growing up in a village called Martinpurwa outside Lucknow Golf Club, Vijay used to be a forecaddie and fell in love with the sport. The village kids, after supplementing their family income during the day, would then play their own version of golf on the streets with handmade clubs and balls. Playing on gravelly roads with equipment from the Neanderthal age, and a 1-iron that he picked up from a trash bin, Vijay transformed himself into a four-time Order of Merit champion in India.

Vijay Kumar pictured playing in 2024 HSBC India Legends Championship. Picture by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak/Getty Images.

He also had an important role in boosting golf in Asia, even though it was a heartbreaking moment for him personally. In 1995, when the Asian PGA Tour – Asian Tour’s precursor – was formed, Delhi Golf Club hosted the US$500,000 Gadgil Western Masters. The size of the tournament was a breakthrough moment for golf in India, and for the continent.

On Sunday, it became a two-man battle between Gaurav Ghei, the favourite child of Delhi Golf Club, and Vijay. Coming down the par-5 18th hole, Vijay stuck two stupendous 1-iron shots to reach the green. Ghei was on 12-under, but his second shot had drifted right and left him with a difficult chip from 35 yards. A par looked like the best possibility from there, and that would tie the clubhouse mark set by Jyoti Randhawa. Vijay, at 11-under, was sitting some 15 feet for a very makeable eagle.

As it turned out, Ghei chipped in and pandemonium erupted. Like Vijay had done all his life, he took the knockout punch with a smile, respectfully took off his cap, and congratulated the champion. A jubilant Ghei became the front-page picture of every newspaper in the country the next day.

People from Lucknow are known for their impeccable manners and respect for others, and nobody embodied it better than Vijay.

The PGTI, as a mark of respect and honour for Vijay, is considering hosting a tournament named after the man who single-handedly put his city on the golfing map.

In a statement, Kapil Dev, the former Indian cricket captain and now President of DP World-PGTI, said: “Vijay Kumar was one of the true stalwarts of Indian golf. His achievements, humility and commitment to the sport made him a role model for generations of golfers. His passing is a great loss to Indian golf, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Such has been Vijay’s influence on Martinpurwa that the whole village plays golf on the streets, a sight unlike any other in India, which is besotted with cricket. Talk to these kids, and each one of them would say their favourite golfer is Vijay Kumar. Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy would come after Vijay.

Shiraz Kalra, who was one of India’s top amateur stars, hails from Lucknow and has personally felt the impact of Vijay Kumar on his career.

“He would have had a role to play in each of these kids playing golf. Vijay was just so generous with his time, patience and money. If you see them playing with proper golf balls, most likely, Vijay would have given it to them. He would pass on his clubs to any youngsters who showed promise. He paid the entry fee for many of them for amateur and professional events,” reminisced Kalra.

“There was a reason everyone would call him Vijay Bhaiyya (big brother).”

Vijay Kumar is survived by his wife and three sons.

Main picture. Vijay playing in the Johnnie Walker Classic in India in 2004 (Getty Images).