Gaganjeet Bhullar, a marquee star of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), delivered a composed 4-under, bogey-free 67 on Thursday, April 24 at the Singapore Open, placing him in a tied-sixth position after the first round of the US$ 2 million International Series event at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course. Equally headline-worthy was veteran Shiv Kapur's stunning hole-in-one — his first-ever ace on the Asian Tour in over two decades of professional play. The opening day underscored both India's growing presence in elite Asian golf and the emotional highs and lows that define the sport at its highest level.

Bhullar's Disciplined Round Puts Him in Contention

Bhullar, chasing his milestone 12th Asian Tour victory and a four-time IGPL champion, began his round from the 10th tee in measured fashion, posting pars on his opening eight holes. He broke through with a birdie on the 18th hole — his ninth of the round — before adding three more birdies on his back nine at the 1st, 4th, and 7th holes of the par-71 Serapong layout.

The result: a clean 4-under 67 with not a single dropped shot, placing him just three strokes behind the co-leaders. On an especially punishing day of heat and humidity at Sentosa, keeping a bogey-free card was a significant achievement in itself.

Reflecting on his performance, Bhullar said, "I played good golf today. I was in the game throughout the 18 holes." Asked about his approach for the remaining three rounds, he added, "I would love to continue the form and just multiply my belief for the next three rounds."

On the mental demands of the Sentosa Golf Club layout, he was emphatic: "You've got to be mentally strong. You've got to hit the ball so good — from the tee, second shot, putting, chipping — everything has to be spot on."

Kapur's Historic Hole-in-One: A First in 22 Years

Shiv Kapur produced the single most memorable shot of the opening day when he holed out on the par-3 second hole, a 168-yard test, using an 8-iron off the tee. It was the three-time Asian Tour winner's first-ever hole-in-one on the tour after 22 years of competing at this level — a milestone that drew widespread applause from fellow competitors and spectators alike.

Kapur acknowledged the rarity of the moment: "I've been playing on the Asian Tour for about 22 years, and I've never had a hole-in-one out here, so that's my first."

However, the ace was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult day. Kapur carded two double bogeys and two bogeys, finishing at 4-over par for the round. He remained philosophical: "The hole-in-one at least put a bit of a smile on my face — a small silver lining on what was otherwise a tough day. That's golf — it takes a bit from you and gives a bit back. At least I walk away with something positive."

Leaderboard: Thailand and Japan Lead; Indians Cluster in Top 30

Thailand's Ekpharit Wu and Japan's Jeongwoo Ham set the early pace, both carding 7-under 64s to share the lead after Round 1. Wu, who had his wife Pam on the bag, played a flawless bogey-free round, while Ham combined eight birdies with a lone bogey to sit two clear of the chasing pack.

Two shots back at 6-under 65 were a trio comprising American Charles Porter, Zimbabwe's Kieran Vincent, and Aidric Chan of the Philippines, sharing third place. Bhullar sits in the tied-sixth group at 67, well within striking distance heading into Round 2.

Among other Indian challengers, Rashid Khan, Shaurya Bhattacharya, and Ajeetesh Sandhu all shot 1-under 70s, placing them inside the top 30. Karandeep Kochhar, the AM Green IGPL champion, and Pukhraj Singh Gill — the 2025 AM Green IGPL Order of Merit winner playing via the IGPL's pathway to the International Series — both carded level-par rounds.

Open Championship Qualification Adds Extra Stakes

The Singapore Open 2025 carries additional significance as part of the Open Qualifying Series. The top two finishers not otherwise exempt will earn coveted spots at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale — one of golf's four major championships. This raises the competitive stakes considerably for the entire field, including India's contingent who are well within the qualifying window after Round 1.

For Bhullar in particular, a strong finish here would serve a dual purpose: pushing him closer to that elusive 12th Asian Tour title while potentially securing a place on the grandest stage in British golf. The IGPL's pathway programme enabling young players like Gill to compete at International Series events also reflects the league's growing influence in shaping the next generation of Indian professional golfers.

With three rounds remaining at the Serapong course, all eyes will be on whether Bhullar can sustain his bogey-free discipline and mount a charge towards the leaders — and whether India can secure a historic Open Championship qualifying berth before the week is out.