Congo, April 19 (NationPress) Udayan Mane has been enthusiastically marking his calendar since his most recent professional triumph, culminating in his victory at the IGPL Invitational in South Africa. As he gears up for the third leg of the African Swing at the IGPL Invitational Congo, Mane is filled with confidence, anticipating yet another outstanding performance following his T-3 finish in Mauritius and his win in Johannesburg.

The IGPL Invitational Congo is a continuation of the series that started in Mauritius and Johannesburg, taking place at the Par-73 Golf Club de Lubumbashi, a prestigious eco-friendly venue in Congo.

Mane's recent win in Johannesburg was remarkable, finishing a staggering seven shots ahead of the highly esteemed Gaganjeet Bhullar. His stellar rounds of 65, 64, and 67, totaling 20 under par, marked the best score of the IGPL season, ending his title drought and significantly enhancing his confidence. He is now aiming for back-to-back victories.

Mane expressed, “It has been 1,578 days since my last professional victory, so this win has profound significance for me. It’s one of the finest courses I've ever played, and it will certainly remain memorable. We faced one of the strongest fields in South Africa, and the course tested every aspect of our game. The conditions were challenging with rain, wind, and cold, and we played on two different courses over three days, requiring rapid adaptation; at this level, quick adjustments are crucial to maintain performance.”

“Winning overseas is always a unique achievement. It demonstrates the ability to compete under varying conditions and on diverse golf courses. I’m thrilled with my score of 20 under and a seven-shot victory. I started the final day with a six-shot advantage, but in golf, nothing is guaranteed. I remained focused on playing each shot meticulously,” he added.

He credited his team, stating, “I’m incredibly thankful to my family for their unwavering belief, love, and patience throughout this journey. Their support has been the cornerstone of moments like this.”

With several IGPL competitors heading to Singapore for the International Series, Mane’s main rivals, including Bhullar, Sachin Baisoya, Karandeep Kochhar, and Pukhraj Singh Gill, will be absent from the Congo event.

This week’s leading contenders likely include Mane, his Atri Mumbai teammate Aman Raj, who has multiple wins in 2025, Kapil Kumar, another 2025 victor, and emerging players Veer Ganapathy and Raghav Chugh, who are all vying for their first victory. Additionally, newcomers Kanav Chauhan and Danish Verma are looking for strong performances to kick off their seasons.

Two Indian Americans, Manav Shah and Varun Chopra, who have garnered attention, are also aiming for impressive results. In three outings, Manav Shah, a former PGA Tour of Latin America champion, secured two Top-3 finishes in Chandigarh and Johannesburg and achieved a T-11 in Mauritius.

Milind Soni, who finished sixth in Mauritius and T-11 in Johannesburg, is keen on maintaining his form. Meanwhile, Harshjeet Sethie, also coached by Rahul Bajaj like Soni, showcased a promising performance in Johannesburg.

This week’s top female professionals include Ridhima Dilawari, Vidhatri Urs, Khushi Khanijau, Seher Atwal, Mannat Brar, Shagun Narain, Jahaanvie Walia, and Anisha Agarwalla. Neha Tripathi is also set to compete.

The team aspect of this tournament has gained significant popularity, and Mane is a strong proponent. In Johannesburg, Mane built a solid lead and could have opted to play conservatively to secure the title, but he instead aimed for more birdies, which he attributes to the team format.

The integration of a team format within individual stroke play has been exceptionally well-received. Mane noted, “The team format introduces an essential element. With fully developed teams and a league structure, there is added motivation to keep scoring, not just for personal success but also for the team championship. Even after nine holes on the final day, leading by six shots, the goal was never merely to defend but to seek more birdie opportunities and enhance the team's prospects. Every shot takes on new significance.”

The entire field comprises 56 players, including ten invitees, eight of whom are locals, and six local amateurs.