Veer Ganapathy Takes Command After Day Two of IGPL UAE as Pranavi Urs Stays in Close Pursuit

Bengaluru’s young left-hander Veer Ganapathy produced a composed and attacking display to seize the outright lead after the second round of the IGPL UAE presented by Shiv Kapur, the Indian Golf Premier League’s first overseas event.

Ganapathy followed up his solid opening round with a superb 6-under 66 at the Els Club, taking his 36-hole total to 8-under 136 and placing himself at the top of a tightly packed leaderboard.

On a day where conditions tested accuracy and patience, Ganapathy stood out with his ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Coached by his father Rahul, the youngster showed maturity beyond his years, carding an eagle and four birdies against a lone bogey on the front nine to reach the turn at a remarkable 5-under 31. He continued his steady progress on the back nine, adding two more birdies while conceding just one bogey to close a round that firmly announced his title credentials.

Chasing him closely is one of the most consistent performers of the inaugural IGPL season, Pranavi Urs. The Ladies European Tour regular and IGPL winner at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club returned another controlled 3-under 69, her second consecutive round of that score, to sit just two shots off the lead at 6-under 138. Pranavi is tied for second alongside her close friend and regular sparring partner Karandeep Kochhar, who posted back-to-back 69s, and long-hitting Ludhiana golfer Pukhraj Singh Gill, who mixed power with precision in a 4-under 68.

Pranavi’s form continues to underline the growing competitiveness of women golfers in mixed professional fields. At BPGC earlier this season, she closed with a stunning 8-under 60 to claim a historic win, becoming the first woman to triumph in a mixed professional event in India. In Dubai, the Mysuru golfer once again showed her ability to stay composed under pressure, producing five birdies against two dropped shots in a balanced round that keeps her firmly in contention going into the final day.

Kochhar’s round featured six birdies offset by three bogeys, while Gill made his early move with an eagle and three birdies to turn in 4-under 36 before settling for a level-par back nine that brought him home at 68. All three remain well placed to challenge Ganapathy in what is shaping up to be a closely fought finish.

Overnight leader Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia endured a tougher second day. After opening with a superb 7-under 65, the six-time Asian Tour winner added a 2-over 74 to slip back into fifth place at 5-under 139. Chawrasia was not alone at that total, sharing the spot with three-time IGPL winner Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-72), IGPL Order of Merit leader Aman Raj (70-69) and fast-rising young talent Raghav Chugh, who impressed with a strong second-round 67 after an opening 72.

Despite the challenging day, Chawrasia remains within three shots of the lead and well positioned to mount a push in the final round. Bhullar, who has enjoyed a flawless run on the IGPL Tour so far this season, also remains firmly in the hunt. Speaking earlier in the event, Bhullar had said, “I am enjoying myself on the IGPL Tour. My game has been good, and I will try to keep the momentum going and try for a four in four,” a target that remains very much alive.

Further down the leaderboard, tournament host Shiv Kapur found himself tied 16th at 1-under 143, sharing the spot with Indian legend Jeev Milkha Singh. Jeev arrived in Dubai fresh off a runner-up finish at the MCB Mauritius on the European Legends Tour and continues to build rhythm as the event progresses.

With just one round to go, the IGPL UAE is set for an intriguing finish. Ganapathy’s composure, Pranavi’s consistency and a chasing pack stacked with proven winners ensure that the league’s first international outing will deliver a fitting climax under the Dubai skyline.