IGPL Invitational 2026: Ganapathy Takes Two-Shot Lead in Mauritius
Synopsis
Veer Ganapathy seizes the lead at the IGPL Invitational 2026, showcasing skill and strategy at the Anahita Golf Course in Mauritius. Can he secure his first professional win? Read on for an exciting recap of the day’s competition.
Key Takeaways
Veer Ganapathy leads by two shots heading into the final round.
The Anahita Golf Course presents significant challenges due to weather conditions.
Top local player Pierre Pellegrin made a remarkable comeback in his second round.
Only 12 players are under par, indicating the course's difficulty.
A thrilling final round is expected as players vie for victory.
Port Louis (Mauritius), April 10 (NationPress) - Veer Ganapathy (67-69) showcased an exceptional performance for the second consecutive day, securing a two-shot advantage after the second day of the IGPL Invitational 2026 held at the stunning Anahita Golf Course in Port Louis, Mauritius.
Overnight co-leader Sachin Baisoya (67-71) faltered on the final hole of the second round, allowing Ganapathy to take the lead and positioning him well for a title challenge.
The 18-year-old left-handed golfer from Bangalore, who recorded a score of 67 on Day 1, finished the front nine at par but made a remarkable comeback with three birdies on the back nine, including on the 16th and 18th holes, to finish with a score of 3-under 69, bringing his total to 8-under after 36 holes.
Baisoya, also a first-round co-leader, was tied for the lead after 17 holes but bogeyed the Par-5 18th, while Ganapathy capitalized with a birdie on the same hole. This two-shot swing allowed Ganapathy to take a clear lead, while Baisoya dropped to 6-under. Three other players—former two-time All India Amateur champion Aryan Roopa Anand (71-70), Ridhima Dilawari (69-72), and Milind Soni (69-72)—are tied for third at 3-under after two rounds.
None of the top five have previously won an IGPL event, but the next two players, Aman Raj (73-69) and Kapil Kumar (74-68), are tied for sixth at 2-under and have both secured victories in the 2025 season.
In the team competition, RVR Delhi has taken the lead with a two-player total of 7-under, followed closely by Phoenix Hyderabad, just one shot behind, and Atri Mumbai.
Despite the challenging conditions at Anahita, only four players—WGAI pro Amandeep Drall (69-74), Udayan Mane (70-73), rookie Sukhman Singh (71-72), and Shaurya Binu (75-68)—finished under par at 1-under total each, placing them tied for eighth. Overall, only 12 players are under par, highlighting the course's difficulty due to windy conditions and demanding greens.
Among notable players outside the Top-10 are 2025 IGPL Rankings leader Pukhraj Gill (72-72), SSP Chawrasia (73-71), and Gaurav Ghei (74-70) who are tied for 12th; Shiv Kapur (70-73) at 20th; Karandeep Kochhar (73-73) at 22nd; and Gaganjeet Bhullar (73-74) at 29th.
The top local player is 27-year-old Pierre Pellegrin, who also competes on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. After an opening round of 8-over 80, Pellegrin bounced back with an impressive score of 8-under 64, climbing to tie for 12th at even par over two days—an impressive improvement of 43 places.
With only one round remaining in the second event of the 2026 season, Ganapathy stands just 18 holes away from a significant professional victory. Last season, Veer, son of former Indian Tour pro Rahul Ganapathy, who also coaches him, finished as runner-up twice. Now, he holds a crucial lead.
Ganapathy remarked, “I’ve been putting well, which was beneficial again today, particularly on the back nine. I’ve been in contention before, and I understand that the more I put myself in these situations, the more opportunities I will create,” said Veer, recognized as the “Young Turk” of the 2025 IGPL season.
Trailing closely is ‘Mr. Consistent’ Baisoya, whose closing hole bogey was intensified by Ganapathy’s birdie on the same hole. Baisoya has finished in the Top 3 multiple times last season and was fourth in the 2025 IGPL Rankings. The former National Games gold medallist has won four professional tournaments in India but is still seeking his first IGPL Tour victory. He knows that a two-shot lead can vanish quickly, and he will need a strong and steady start to have a shot at claiming an IGPL Trophy for the first time.
Aryan Roopa Anand once appeared poised to challenge Ganapathy but fell from 5-under for the day to 2-under after a closing triple bogey on the tricky Par-5 18th. He now sits at 3-under total for two days in third place.
Milind Soni aims for his first Top-10 finish in the IGPL, while Ridhima leads the women’s field as Amandeep Drall has slipped to tied eighth. Given the difficult course and weather conditions, the final day promises to be exhilarating, and errors could be detrimental.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the competitive spirit displayed by young talents like Veer Ganapathy and Sachin Baisoya at the IGPL Invitational. The challenging conditions at Anahita Golf Course are testing their skills, with the tournament promising an exciting finish.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the IGPL Invitational 2026?
Veer Ganapathy is currently leading the IGPL Invitational 2026 with a two-shot advantage.
What challenges do players face at the Anahita Golf Course?
Players are facing windy conditions and demanding greens, making the course particularly challenging.
What is the significance of this tournament for the players?
The IGPL Invitational is a crucial event for players seeking to establish themselves in professional golf and secure their first wins.
Who are the notable players in the competition?
Notable players include Sachin Baisoya, Aryan Roopa Anand, and Ridhima Dilawari, all competing fiercely for the top spots.
How does the team competition work at the IGPL?
The team competition involves two-player totals from various teams, with the team scoring the lowest combined score being declared the winner.
