Aryan Roopa Anand produced a composed and resilient performance to retain his lead after the second round of the IGPL Invitational Sri Lanka, birdieing the final hole to stay narrowly ahead of a tightly packed leaderboard featuring seasoned champions, rising Indian stars, and an exceptional local amateur at the iconic Royal Colombo Golf Club.
On a day when momentum shifted constantly, Aryan’s ability to recover from a shaky start proved decisive. After dropping two bogeys in the first four holes, the overnight leader steadied himself and ground out a 2-under 69 to remain on top at 11-under par after 36 holes. His late birdie on the 18th was crucial, ensuring he stayed clear of a charging group that included multiple tour winners and one of Asia’s most promising teenage amateurs.
Local favourite Kaya Daluwatte and four-time DP World Tour winner SSP Chawrasia were tied second at 10-under, just one shot behind Aryan. Jeev Milkha Singh, India’s most accomplished golfer, sat alone in fourth at 9-under, with the top eight players separated by just three strokes as the final event of the inaugural IGPL season heads into its decisive round.
Aryan’s round was a study in damage control and patience. After the early bogeys threatened to undo his overnight advantage, he responded with birdies on the seventh, 12th, 15th and the 18th, while crucially keeping the rest of his card clean. On a course where small mistakes can quickly snowball, his ability to avoid further errors allowed him to maintain sole possession of the lead for a second straight day.
Behind him, the leaderboard showcased a fascinating blend of experience and emerging talent. Kaya Daluwatte continued her remarkable season with a 4-under 67, displaying maturity far beyond her 17 years. The Sri Lankan amateur had looked set to challenge for the outright lead before an unfortunate triple bogey on the 17th, where a tee shot clipped a tree, followed by a bunker visit and further trouble. Despite that setback, Kaya’s position tied for second kept her firmly in contention and earned admiration from some of the game’s biggest names.
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Sharing that second spot was SSP Chawrasia, who carded a steady 66 as he hunted his first title on the IGPL Tour. “It’s been a long time since I won,” Chawrasia said. “It would be nice to have one of those IGPL trophies alongside my European, Asian and other wins in India.” His consistency once again underlined why he remains one of India’s most reliable performers in pressure situations.
Jeev Milkha Singh, a four-time winner on both the European and Japan Tours, stayed very much in the hunt despite a frustrating finish. The veteran lay two shots off the lead after 36 holes and admitted that birdie putts refused to drop late in his round. Yet Jeev was quick to shift focus from his own card to Kaya’s performance, praising the teenager’s composure and course management.
“Even though I was focused on my game, I was amazed by Kaya’s play,” Jeev said. “She was so solid and mature. To shoot 6-under and then 4-under in such a strong field is fantastic for a 17-year-old.”
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Kaya’s presence near the top of the leaderboard was no surprise to those familiar with Sri Lankan amateur golf. A multiple-time winner at Royal Colombo, she has also claimed victories in Thailand, finished second in the Faldo Series UAE, and placed third at the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tournament in the UAE. She is also the first Sri Lankan to win a medal at the Asian Youth Games, and her growing résumé suggests she belongs comfortably on this stage.
Tied fifth at 8-under were Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-67), the most successful Indian on the Asian Tour with 11 titles, former Asian Tour winner Chiragh Kumar (71-63), IGPL Order of Merit contender Aman Raj (66-68), and rookie professional Veer Ganapathy (67-67). Chiragh produced the round of the day with a sparkling 8-under 63, featuring nine birdies and just one bogey. “That was the best I have played in a long time,” said Chiragh, who is continuing his comeback after a series of serious injuries.
Karandeep Kochhar, winner of the IGPL UAE leg, lay ninth after a 68 but remained just four shots off the lead. With recent wins in Dubai and Egypt and his Asian Tour card already secured, Kochhar looms as a potential dark horse on a course where big leads can vanish quickly.
Beyond the leaderboard, the week has also highlighted the IGPL format’s role as a learning ground for the next generation. Jyoti Randhawa echoed Jeev’s sentiments, calling the tournament a “golf classroom,” as young players like Veer Ganapathy, Zoravar Randhawa and Harjai Milkha Singh shared fairways with South Asian legends.
As the field prepares for a shotgun start on the final day, the stage is set for a compelling finish. With youth and experience locked in close contention and the margins razor-thin, the inaugural IGPL season appears destined for a dramatic conclusion at one of golf’s most historic venues.
