Pukhraj Singh Gill produced another masterclass in consistency and control to extend his dominance at the IGPL Invitational Jamshedpur, firing a stunning 8-under 64 on Thursday to go with his opening 9-under 63.
The 29-year-old from Ludhiana sits comfortably atop the leaderboard at 17-under 127 after two rounds, taking a commanding seven-shot lead at the halfway stage of the event at the Beldih Golf Course. The performance was nothing short of exceptional. On a layout that demands precision and patience, Pukhraj made the course look easy tallying 16 birdies and one eagle across two days while carding just a single bogey.
His second-round effort once again showcased a near-flawless display of ball-striking and temperament. Starting from the first, he caught fire early with a hat-trick of birdies from holes two to four, added two more on six and seven, and turned in at 5-under. On the back nine, he continued to attack, adding birdies on the 10th and 12th before closing with a spectacular eagle on the par-5 16th. The only blemish across his 36 holes came on the 14th, where he dropped his sole shot of the tournament so far.
The Ludhiana golfer, who was the runner-up at IGPL Jaypee Greens earlier this season and has multiple top-10 finishes, is chasing his maiden professional title and if his current form holds, that wait may soon be over.
“I’ve had a bogey-free stretch for almost two days, and it feels incredibly satisfying,” said Pukhraj after his round. “Everything just seems to be clicking from the tee shots to the putts. The hole feels a bit bigger this week, and I’ve managed to stay patient and composed. Finishing with an eagle today gave me a nice boost heading into tomorrow.”
He credited his success to a sound game plan and a course that suits his strengths. “The Beldih layout feels tailor-made for my game. It’s longer, more tree-lined, and demands precise shot-making all of which play to my advantage. Compared to Golmuri, which is shorter and more open, this one really rewards control and accuracy.”
Despite holding a massive seven-shot cushion, Pukhraj remains grounded. “Golf’s a funny game you’re never too far from a bad swing or a rough patch. Having that cushion definitely helps, but I’ll keep doing what’s been working. My goal is to stay steady, not chase scores.”
Trailing in second at 10-under 134 is Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya (67-67), who too is in search of his first IGPL title. Baisoya was paired with Pukhraj in the second round and put together another clean, bogey-free effort.
“The round went well overall,” Baisoya said. “My iron play was sharp, and I created plenty of birdie chances. I just couldn’t convert a few short putts missed about five or six from within seven feet otherwise, it could’ve been even lower. But I’m happy it was a bogey-free card. Tomorrow, I’ll stick to my plan fairways, greens, and stay patient.”
Seasoned pro Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh moved up to third at 9-under 135, following up his 67 with a tidy 68 that included six birdies and no bogeys. The multiple-time Indian Tour winner has been steadily rediscovering his form after a few inconsistent seasons.
“My game has been trending well over the past few years,” Gupta said. “I’m driving better, and my overall consistency is back. I’m happy with how I’m scoring again it’s been a while since I’ve felt this confident.”
In fourth at 8-under 136 is Chiragh Kumar, a familiar name in Indian golf and a former Asian Tour winner. Chiragh, returning from injury, showed flashes of his best golf, carding a 67 highlighted by four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 16th.
“It’s great to see Chiragh back in form,” noted one of his peers. “He’s worked hard on his recovery, and this performance shows he’s still got the touch that made him one of India’s finest ball-strikers.”
Behind them, a cluster of contenders sits at 7-under, including Shat Mishra (71-66) and Saarthak Chibber (71-66). Former Indian Open champion Chinnaswamy Muniyappa (69-69), Yashas Chandra (68-70), and Sudhir Sharma (67-71) are tied seventh at 6-under 138.
Meanwhile, the IGPL’s in-form stars Aman Raj and Kartik Singh both had quiet days. Order of Merit leader Aman Raj (69-70) and the 18-year-old prodigy Kartik Singh (70-69) share tenth place at 5-under, alongside M Dharma, Kapil Kumar, Aryan Roopa Anand, and Trishul Chinnappa.
Aman Raj, who arrived in Jamshedpur eyeing a third consecutive title after wins in Jaipur and Kolkata, will need a special weekend surge to make it happen. Still, all eyes remain on the man at the top. Pukhraj Singh Gill’s extraordinary 36-hole total of 127 is not only the lowest two-round aggregate of the IGPL season, but also a reminder of what happens when talent, confidence, and rhythm align perfectly.
As the tournament heads into moving day, Pukhraj stands on the brink of a career-defining moment a maiden victory that could well mark the arrival of Indian golf’s next breakout star.
