Gaganjeet Bhullar produced a composed and clinical performance at the Glade One Resort & Golf Club, closing with a birdie on the 18th to claim his third IGPL title and become the first player to win three times on the Tour.
What began as a modest week with a 1-under 71 highlighted by a hole-in-one turned into a dominant finish as he signed off with consecutive rounds of 67-67 for an 11-under total.
The win, though narrow, was built on Bhullar’s trademark late charge. Standing tied at 10-under with Raghav Chugh and Santiago de la Fuentes heading into the final two holes, the experienced Indian summoned his best golf. A brilliant eagle on the 14th and a birdie on the 15th propelled him forward, and when he rolled in a final birdie on the 18th, the tournament was effectively sealed.
Chugh Shines but Falls One Short
The week’s biggest revelation was 21-year-old Raghav Chugh, who finished sole second at 10-under after a composed 4-under 68 on the final day. Barely three months into his professional journey after graduating from Rice University, Chugh showcased maturity well beyond his age.
His closing stretch, however, lacked the one final flourish he needed. Birdies on 14 and 15 had pushed him into a share of the lead, but three straight pars to end the day left him one behind. Still, it was a performance that further cemented his status as one of India’s brightest young talents, following his decorated junior career which included the 2019 US Kids Teen World Championship title.
International Contenders Denied at the Finish
Three international players Justin Quiban of the Philippines, Santiago de la Fuentes of Mexico, and Indian-American Manav Shah finished tied third at 8-under after all briefly threatening to become the first international IGPL winner.
Quiban carded a 68 with six birdies but a costly double bogey on the 17th ended his title hopes. De la Fuentes, who had joined the leaders at 10-under after birdies on 12 and 13, also slipped with a double bogey on the same 17th hole. Shah, one of the overnight leaders, endured a turbulent day that included six birdies but also a triple bogey on the 10th and two early bogeys on the front nine. His even-par 71 kept him from mounting a serious challenge.
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Among the women, Ridhima Dilawari produced her best round of the week with a superb 5-under 67 to secure a Top-10 finish. Her card featured six birdies, including a hat-trick from the sixth to eighth holes and a strong push on the 13th and 14th. Dilawari, who plans to feature more on the domestic circuit in 2025, delivered one of the standout performances of the final day.
Kartik Singh (70) finished tied sixth, while first-round leader Veer Ganapathy (74) slipped to T-12.
Bhullar’s final round was an exhibition of poise under pressure. After an early bogey on the fourth, he stitched together birdies on the fifth, sixth and eighth to turn in 2-under. Another bogey on the back nine was answered by his decisive eagle-birdie burst on 14 and 15. Playing in the penultimate group, he posted the target at 11-under and it held.
This victory continues Bhullar’s extraordinary run on the IGPL Tour. India’s most successful Asian Tour professional with 11 wins, he had already captured the first two events of the inaugural IGPL season in Chandigarh and Jaypee Greens. After skipping a few events due to international commitments and family reasons, he returned to Ahmedabad where he had previously won the 2011 Gujarat Kensville Challenge and delivered another commanding performance.
Chugh fought hard until the end, but with his final par, Bhullar’s name was etched as the champion yet again his third win in three IGPL starts in 2025.
Bhullar pocketed Rs. 22.50 lakhs, while Chugh earned Rs. 15 lakhs for his runner-up finish.
A master finisher, a familiar venue, and another birdie on the 18th Bhullar’s IGPL story continues to grow richer.
