India’s most successful Asian Tour golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar produced a composed final-round performance to successfully defend his title at the IGPL Invitational Chandigarh presented by KRISHNA, rallying from four shots behind to secure victory in style at the Chandigarh Golf Club on Friday.
Bhullar carded rounds of 68, 69, and 68 over the three days to finish at 11-under-par, registering his fourth Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) title in just six appearances. The Chandigarh-born golfer once again demonstrated his experience and composure, especially in the closing stretch, to pull away from the chasing pack.
Bhullar Produces Strong Finish
Heading into the final round, Bhullar trailed the leaders by four shots but steadily worked his way up the leaderboard with a disciplined round. His bogey-free 4-under 68 was highlighted by a decisive burst on the back nine. Bhullar picked up three birdies in four holes between the 13th and 16th, a stretch that ultimately proved decisive in separating him from the field.
Throughout the tournament, Bhullar showcased remarkable consistency. Across the three rounds, he dropped just one bogey, which came during the second round. His ability to minimise mistakes while capitalising on scoring opportunities played a crucial role in securing the title.
Standing on the 18th green surrounded by friends and fans, Bhullar expressed satisfaction at winning again on a course he knows well. “A win is always most satisfying, and I try to stay focused at all times,” Bhullar said after completing the victory.
The 37-year-old also highlighted the emotional connection he shares with the venue. “I love this course, this is my home course,” he added.
Dominance in IGPL Continues
Bhullar’s triumph further strengthens his remarkable record in the IGPL. In the inaugural 2025 season, he won the first two events of the league before adding a third title later in the season. Despite playing only five tournaments that year, he still finished third in the Order of Merit, behind champion Pukhraj Singh Gill and runner-up Aman Raj.
With this latest victory, Bhullar has now claimed four IGPL titles, underlining his status as one of the premier players in the league.
While Bhullar took the title, the tournament also showcased the emergence of new talent, particularly Varun Parikh, who finished second at 8-under-par. The debutant golfer shot 71-67-70 across the three rounds to finish three strokes behind Bhullar. Parikh held his nerve in the final round and secured second place with a par on the closing hole.
Interestingly, Parikh revealed that it was Bhullar who played a role in encouraging him to participate in the IGPL. “I spoke with Gaganjeet before joining the IGPL, and after talking to him I felt it was the best way to move towards playing on the Asian Tour and the International Series,” Parikh said.
Parikh also spoke about the experience of playing alongside Bhullar in the final group. “It was an education to play alongside Gaganjeet, who is an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour,” he added.
Strong Debut for New Entrants
The tournament also saw other new entrants deliver impressive performances. Sachin Baisoya produced one of the best rounds of the final day with a 68 to finish third, while Manav Shah, another debutant, finished tied alongside him at 7-under-par after closing with a round of 70.
The strong performances from newcomers like Parikh, Shah, and Varun Chopra highlighted the depth of talent emerging within the IGPL ecosystem. Varun Chopra finished sixth at 5-under, further emphasising the impact made by players making their league debuts this season.
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Overnight leader Aman Raj endured a difficult final round, carding a 77 to slip down the leaderboard. After starting the day in a strong position, Raj eventually finished fifth at 6-under-par. Despite the setback, Raj remains one of the consistent performers on the IGPL circuit, having finished runner-up in the 2025 Order of Merit standings.
The tournament also featured strong performances from several experienced professionals. A group of three players Pukhraj Singh Gill, Karandeep Kochhar, and Kapil Kumar finished tied for seventh place at 4-under-par. All three were winners during the 2025 IGPL season and remain key contenders in the new campaign. The top ten was rounded out by a mix of youth and experience, including six-time Asian Tour winner SSP Chawrasia, along with Harendra Gupta, Veer Ganapathy, and Kartik Sharma.
IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundy, who attended the event after travelling from Singapore, praised Bhullar’s performance and highlighted the significance of the victory. “Gaganjeet Bhullar is, without doubt, the best Indian golfer right now. His consistent results prove that,” Mundy said.
He also noted the timing of the win. “It was very appropriate that he won the opening event of the 2026 IGPL season, just as he did in 2025.” Mundy also emphasised how the league is attracting emerging talent while providing a platform for experienced players to mentor the next generation.
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The opening event of the 2026 IGPL season delivered exactly what the league aims to showcase — a competitive field combining seasoned champions and promising newcomers. For Bhullar, the victory reinforces his dominance on Indian soil while maintaining his status as one of the leading figures in Asian golf. For rising players like Varun Parikh and Manav Shah, the tournament offered a valuable opportunity to compete at the highest level and make an immediate impression.
As the season progresses, the IGPL promises to deliver more intense competition and provide Indian golfers with a strong platform to develop their careers both domestically and internationally.
