How Did Gaganjeet Bhullar Secure His Title at IGPL Delhi NCR?

Greater Noida, Sep 19 (NationPress) Gaganjeet Bhullar delivered an impressive performance with a six-under 64, rallying from behind to clinch the title in the IGPL Invitational Delhi NCR organized by Gaurav Ghei at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort on Friday. This victory marks him as the first back-to-back champion in the inaugural season of the tour.

Bhullar expressed that he anticipated a low score as soon as he arrived at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort for the final day of the competition. His warm-up was flawless, and he felt his body responding positively.

With a final score of 6-under 64, which is the best score recorded in the two IGPL tournaments, he made history by becoming the first player to win consecutively in this exciting new tour. Bhullar's rounds of 72-68-64 resulted in an 8-under total at the Jaypee course, which had a par of 72 on the opening day and 70 on the last two days.

Delighted with his success, Bhullar noted that he has kicked off the IGPL with remarkable momentum, securing two wins in as many starts. For the second consecutive week, he took home a cheque worth Rs. 22.5 lakh. He remarked, “Winning is always gratifying. It’s what we strive for, but I’m also impressed by the talent present in this IGPL field. Many of these young players will triumph not just in India but on the international stage as well.”

He added, “I felt a bit stiff during the initial rounds. I have been focusing on my gym work and getting ready for the international phase of my season. However, today, after my warm-up, I felt more relaxed and knew I could achieve a low score.”

He chuckled, “Everything went smoothly except for the last hole, which I three-putted.”

Pukhraj Singh Gills (6-under) secured second place, while Kartik Singh (4-under), who concluded with a double bogey, finished third.

Making his debut in the IGPL, Karandeep Kochhar (3-under) and Syed Saqib Ahmed (3-under) were tied for fourth place, while Kartik Sharma (2-under) and Aman Raj (2-under), who is showing signs of recovery from injuries, shared sixth place.

Another promising young professional, Raghav Chugh (1-under), and Sachin Baisoya (1-under) shared eighth place, while seasoned player Shiv Kapur, who expressed his excitement about participating in the IGPL, finished in tenth place at even par.

Amandeep Drall (1-over) was the top female competitor, finishing tied for 11th, while the leading amateur was 16-year-old Arshvant Srivastava, who shot 1-over on the opening day and wrapped up the week with a par in the final round, totaling seven over after a 6-over second round.

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL, commented, “Gaganjeet’s final-day performance must have been incredibly motivating for the young players, who witnessed him play stunning golf. Talents like Kartik Singh, Pukhraj Singh Gill, Raghav Chugh, and many others, including amateurs, chased him closely, yet Gaganjeet was exceptional. He has made a significant impact on Indian golf and has given the IGPL an incredible start in just two weeks with two wins.”

After starting the day five shots behind the teenage sensation and overnight leader Kartik Singh, Bhullar made a strong start with birdies on the first two holes. He added another on the fifth and maintained his aggressive play throughout.

On the back nine of the Jaypee course, played to a par of 70, he achieved five additional birdies on holes 10, 12, 14, 15, and 17, with only one bogey on the par-4 13th. Starting the day at 2-under, he soared to 9-under, aiming for a double-digit score with just one hole remaining. By that point, his victory was nearly assured, as his closest competitors, the 16-year-old Kartik Singh (73) and Pukhraj Singh Gill (68), trailed him by three shots.

However, Bhullar made what could be considered his only mistake on a day filled with remarkable golf, three-putting the 18th for a second bogey, finishing at 8-under, but still comfortably winning by two strokes.

The tournament host, Gaurav Ghei, a three-time champion on the Asian Tour and the first Indian to participate in the Open, was thrilled with the event's reception. “Competing while hosting the event is a unique responsibility. The IGPL team was outstanding, and I was genuinely impressed by Gaganjeet’s performance as well as the efforts of the young players who challenged him.”

Pukhraj Singh Gill, a talented pro known for his long drives, began the final round at 4-under, three shots behind the 36-hole leader Kartik, and finished second with a three-day total of 6-under after shooting a 2-under 68.

Kartik Singh, who tied for eighth in his pro debut last week, struggled to find his rhythm, bogeying twice early on the third and fifth holes. He managed to recover with a birdie on the eighth but faced a roller-coaster back nine. He birdied the 10th, dropped a shot on the 11th, and bogeyed again on the 13th. Although he regained momentum with a birdie on the 16th to tie for second, he faltered with a double bogey on the final hole, finishing in third.

Despite not performing at his best, Kartik expressed satisfaction with his result and the learning experience from the two IGPL events. “It has been a wonderful journey, and I’ve gained invaluable insights from Gaganjeet sir and other senior players. The IGPL has significantly enhanced my game.”