Sachin Baisoya gets a swift opportunity to settle unfinished business against Gaganjeet Bhullar as the Phoenix Invitational 2026 of the AM Green Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) gets under way at Vooty Golf County, Hyderabad, on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The tournament is the 11th event of the IGPL season, and their rivalry — ignited at last week's Green Fuels Maritime Invitational in Vizag — gives the contest an extra edge before a ball is struck.

The Rivalry That Set Up This Rematch

At the Green Fuels Maritime Invitational in Vizag just days ago, Baisoya mounted one of the most dramatic late charges of the season. Bhullar had built a commanding six-shot lead, but a rain-shortened final round saw Baisoya fire a remarkable seven-under to wipe that deficit and force a play-off. Bhullar ultimately prevailed, holing a 40-foot putt on the extra hole, but Baisoya's performance made clear the margin between the two is considerably narrower than the scoreboard implied.

Bhullar's Vizag victory rested on a foundation of consistency — anchored by a shortened second-round 6-under — while Baisoya's challenge was built on outright aggression and a string of birdies when there was no room for error. The question heading into Vooty is whether Baisoya can sustain that level across a full tournament rather than rely on a final-day blitz.

Bhullar's Dominant Season Record

Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour winner, has now claimed six IGPL titles in total, including three this season alone. His most recent wins — the Krishna Invitational in Hyderabad in October followed by the Vizag triumph — have cemented his status as the player to beat on the circuit. His ability to find a way to win even when his best game eludes him is, by common consensus among rivals and observers, his most dangerous trait.

Bhullar opens his Phoenix Invitational campaign from the first tee at 10:42 am alongside Varun Parikh and Kapil Kumar. Baisoya tees off at 11:04 am with Aryan Roopa Anand and Sukhman Singh. Their paths diverge in the opening round, but a competitive leaderboard could well draw them together as the week unfolds.

Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds and Team Stakes

For Baisoya — described as the main pillar of Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds — the team dimension adds another layer of motivation. His teammates Ranjit Singh, Raghav Chugh, and Arjun Bhati are also in the field, aiming to build on their victory at the HGA event in Hyderabad two weeks prior. 'We were victorious at HGA in Hyderabad two weeks ago, so we're coming in with some good form, although last week wasn't great,' Baisoya said at a pre-tournament media interaction.

Baisoya also flagged his enthusiasm for the X-Golf format — a new innovation that runs alongside the main event. 'Having spent four years in the US, I've seen how big sports are and how engaged everyone is. Golf can be a little long and tough to follow, so I feel this change is necessary. India has so many people, and the scope is enormous,' he said. He invited fans to watch the X-Golf competition at Boulder Hills during the week.

Rest of the Field: Names to Watch

Arjun Prasad, who made a winning impression on his IGPL debut, opens at 9:14 am alongside Ravi Kumar and Harshjeet Singh Sethie. Veteran Shiv Kapur, a multiple Asian Tour winner, tees off at 11:15 am with Kanav Chauhan and Danish Verma. Aryan Roopa Anand, who registered a win in Africa, and recently turned professional Sukhman Singh complete Baisoya's opening-round group — giving the younger contingent an immediate examination against experienced company.

League Context and What's at Stake

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL, spoke at a media meeting ahead of the event. 'It has been an exciting 2026 for AM Green IGPL, with 10 events completed, including six international stops, as we come together for our 11th event. Our league-integrated tour is building camaraderie and bringing men and women professionals together to compete for equal prize money,' Mundy said. He added that discussions on two centres of excellence in India aimed at creating pathways for young golfers were ongoing, with plans expected to be finalised by year-end. The event is hosted by Hyderabad Firebirds G.C. and Dream Valley Group at Vooty, a course that players have reportedly praised for its excellent condition.

With Bhullar chasing a fourth title of the season and Baisoya looking to prove Vizag was no fluke, the Phoenix Invitational promises to be one of the more compelling IGPL events of a packed 2026 calendar.