Kochhar Holds Nerve to Clinch Maiden IGPL Title in Dubai as Ganapathy and Pukhraj Fall Just Short

At the Els Club in Dubai, where wind, pressure and precision often decide the final outcome, Karandeep Kochhar finally earned the breakthrough in IGPL he had been chasing all season.

The 24-year-old Chandigarh golfer captured his maiden IGPL Tour title at the IGPL Invitational UAE hosted by Shiv Kapur, edging out young contenders Veer Ganapathy and Pukhraj Singh in a dramatic final-round duel that kept the leaderboard shifting until the final stretch.

Kochhar, who has been steadily building momentum with recent successes including a title on the Asian Development Tour, arrived in Dubai with the memory of a missed opportunity at the IGPL Invitational Kolkata still fresh. This time, he refused to let the moment slip. His third straight 3-under 69 took him to 9-under for the week — a total that ultimately proved enough in a tight contest shaped by big swings and costly mistakes.

Ganapathy, the talented Bengaluru teenager who had carried a two-shot lead into the final round, seemed poised for a maiden professional win of his own. He settled early nerves with birdies and an eagle to offset a double bogey start, and by the turn still looked in command. But the day’s decisive moment arrived at the par-4 14th hole. Under pressure and scrambling to maintain his lead, Ganapathy stumbled to a triple bogey, falling from 11-under to 8-under in a single hole a catastrophic shift in a field as deep as this one.

Kochhar, playing in the group ahead, birdied the same hole, creating a stunning four-shot swing that altered the complexion of the tournament.

While Ganapathy recovered admirably, closing with grit to post an even-par 72, he finished one shot behind Kochhar at 8-under, tied for second with Pukhraj Singh. It was a familiar heartbreak for the youngster, who has been close on numerous occasions but continues to wait for his first professional trophy.

For Pukhraj, winner of the IGPL Jamshedpur earlier this season, the performance was yet another show of consistency. His composed 2-under 70 earned him a share of the runner-up spot, reaffirming his place among the season’s most reliable performers.

Just behind the leading trio was Pranavi Urs, who once again demonstrated why she is one of the biggest stories of the inaugural IGPL season. The Mysuru star, who made history in Mumbai as the first woman to win an IGPL event and the first to win a mixed-gender professional event in Indian golf posted a steady 1-under 71 to finish at 7-under, securing solo fourth. Her round featured six birdies, including four on the back nine, offset by bogeys that kept her from mounting a stronger challenge. Still, her presence inside the top five underscores her remarkable run this season.

Further down the leaderboard, Gaganjeet Bhullar’s bid for a fourth straight IGPL title fell short. After wins in each of his last three starts, Bhullar had arrived in Dubai with momentum and confidence but finished fifth at 6-under following a closing 71. Even so, his consistency remains one of the standout themes of the season.

Tournament host Shiv Kapur, who has played a key role in shaping the IGPL’s identity and competitive ethos, carded a 72 to tie for 16th at 1-under alongside Ridhima Dilawari. Golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh, fresh from a runner-up finish on the European Legends Tour in Mauritius, shot 73 to tie for 18th in his first appearance on the IGPL Tour. His presence added gravitas to an already high-profile field.

A cluster of young talents Kartik Singh (71), SSP Chawrasia (72) and professional rookie Raghav Chugh (72) shared sixth place, all still searching for their maiden IGPL victories with one final event of the season left in Colombo. Meanwhile, Order of Merit leader Aman Raj returned a 73 to finish at 4-under, tied with the in-form Hitaashee Bakshi, who fired a brilliant 6-under 66, and Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra.

The mid-pack also featured impressive efforts from Sachin Baisoya (67), Harendra Gupta (68), Kartik Sharma (70) and Gaurav Ghei (72), who all tied for 12th.

But the day belonged to Kochhar. His round reflected maturity, resilience and strategic clarity. After starting two shots back, he applied early pressure with three birdies in the first eight holes. A bogey on the ninth tested his composure, but birdies on the 13th and the influential 14th restored control. A dropped shot at 15th briefly added tension, yet Kochhar closed with three composed pars to secure the championship.

As the IGPL’s inaugural season heads to Colombo for its finale, Kochhar’s victory stands as one of its defining moments a breakthrough built on persistence, belief and timely execution.

For a tour seeking to rewrite the competitive landscape of Indian golf, this Dubai finish offered everything: youthful charge, veteran class, and a champion rising at just the right time.