The IGPL Invitational Jamshedpur, hosted by Arjun Munda, sets the stage for a potential milestone in Indian golf this week.
Aman Raj arrives seeking a third consecutive victory on the IGPL Tour a feat no player has achieved yet following commanding wins in Jaipur and Kolkata. The 30-year-old Patna golfer has been the standout performer over the past month, using the IGPL platform to position himself for a move toward the Asian Tour and the International Series. His recent form has been nothing short of exceptional: across his last six competitive rounds, Aman has shot 9-under 61 on three separate occasions.
“I know I have been trending well, but even then, three 61s in four rounds from the first round in Jaipur to the first round in Kolkata was very satisfying,” Aman said, reflecting on a stretch in which he completely took control of tournament momentum.
The Kolkata win also carried a personal moment. Aman’s father made a surprise trip from Patna to watch the final round.
“Suddenly seeing my father towards the end of the final round was a bonus,” he smiled. “The money is important, but my game is even more crucial and that has been good.”
Aman has already crossed the ₹50 lakh mark in IGPL earnings the fastest any player has done so in just five starts on the tour.
Veer Ganapathy Gains Valuable Experience in Kolkata Runner-Up Finish
While Aman has been rewriting the leaderboard narrative, the runner-up in Kolkata, 17-year-old rookie pro Veer Ganapathy, made a significant impression of his own. Playing his first season as a professional, Veer pushed Aman into the final hole before eventually finishing second his best result to date.
The moment carried added meaning when legendary Olympian Leander Paes, present for the final round in his hometown, highlighted Veer and Kartik Singh as names to watch in Indian golf’s next generation.
Veer called the Kolkata finish “a major learning point.”
“I learnt a lot even though I lost on the last hole. This will be a great learning experience for me,” he said, reflecting on the pressure of being in contention deep into a final round.
Others Showing Form: Aryan Roopa Anand, Samarth Dwivedi, and Aalaap IL on the Rise
The Kolkata leg also saw strong performances from several players looking to re-establish momentum.
- Aryan Roopa Anand, a two-time All India Amateur champion, finished third and showed the consistency that marked his amateur career.
- Samarth Dwivedi placed fourth, indicating a steady return to competitive rhythm.
- Aalaap IL continued his upward trajectory and credited the IGPL Tour physio team, particularly Sushila, for playing a key role in his physical recovery and tournament readiness. “My recovery and form is due to Sushila, who has been a great help for us on the IGPL Tour,” he said.
Another encouraging sign has been the progress of Syed Saqib Ahmed, who finished tied-fifth, while Olympian Udayan Mane fifth in his IGPL debut in Jaipur is working his way into contention and appears close to a breakthrough.
“I am feeling good and who knows what will happen next week,” Udayan said, hinting that his competitive sharpness is returning.
IGPL Tour Context: Season Progression and Stakes
The ₹1.5 crore Jamshedpur Invitational marks the sixth event of the IGPL season, following earlier stops in:
- Chandigarh
- Jaypee Greens (Noida)
- Pune
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
The season began with Gaganjeet Bhullar winning the first two tournaments, followed by Kapil Kumar taking the title in Pune. Aman Raj has since seized momentum with back-to-back victories. For Aman, Jamshedpur represents both a chance at history and a stepping stone toward the next phase of his international ambitions. For Veer Ganapathy, it is another test in a formative first year, and for a strong field of emerging and returning contenders, it is an opportunity to disrupt the storyline.
With confidence high, form stable, and the course in Jamshedpur known to reward disciplined attacking play, Aman Raj starts the week as the favourite. But golf rarely follows script. Young challengers like Veer Ganapathy, and resurgent competitors like Aryan Roopa Anand and Udayan Mane, ensure that the chase for the historic hat-trick will not be straightforward.
What is certain is that the IGPL Tour, in only its debut phase, has already begun producing compelling storylines and Jamshedpur promises another.
