Gaganjeet Bhullar claimed his seventh Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) title and fourth of the 2026 season at the Phoenix Invitational Hyderabad presented by Hyderabad Firebirds GC on Friday, 13 November, defeating young Raghav Chugh in a play-off at Vooty Golf County, Hyderabad. The veteran, representing Vimtra Chennai Lions GC, sealed the win with a near-perfect approach to within two feet on the par-4 18th — the second consecutive week he has triumphed via a shoot-out.

How the Final Round Unfolded

Bhullar found himself trailing with just three holes remaining but unleashed back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th to surge to 14-under par. Chugh, of Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC, who had held the lead only moments earlier, responded with a clutch birdie on his closing hole to draw level and force the play-off. A 20-footer that could have given Bhullar an outright win on the 18th lipped out, making the shoot-out inevitable.

In the play-off on the par-4 18th, Bhullar struck a precise tee shot and his approach settled within two feet, all but securing the birdie. Chugh's second shot fell just short of the green, and his 30-footer came agonisingly close before lipping out, leaving him to concede the title.

Leaderboard and Standout Performances

Sachin Baisoya of Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC finished sole third at 13-under, a week after also losing a play-off. Kartik Sharma of Flyingman Kolkata Tigers GC posted the best card of the day — a stunning 9-under 63 — to tie fourth at 12-under alongside Harshjeet Singh Sethie of Vimtra Chennai Lions GC (70) and Shaurya Binu of Unico Gurugram Tuskers GC (64). Notably, it was the best IGPL finish of 2026 for both Kartik and Harshjeet.

Tied seventh at 11-under were M. Dharma of Green Fuels Vizag Dolphins GC, Sawai Hamendra Singh Bhati of Auro Realty Goa Eagles GC, and Arjun Prasad of Unico Gurugram Tuskers GC. Olympian Udayan Mane, Shiv Kapur, and overnight leader Danish Verma were tied 10th at 10-under.

Team Honours Go to Hosts Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds

In the team contest, hosts Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds — led by Chugh, Baisoya, Ranjit Singh, and Arjun Bhati — took top honours at 27-under, edging out Flyingman Kolkata Tigers and Chennai Lions, who tied for second at 26-under.

What the Players Said

Bhullar, speaking after his win, credited patience and self-belief for seeing him through. 'Somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew that I could turn it around sooner or later. And it happened with those two late birdies,' he said. On his overall form, he added, 'I was not playing my best over the last two days, but I hung in. Experience has taught me to be patient, and it paid off.'

Bhullar was also generous in his praise for Chugh. 'He is a very good player, and at 23-24 he is still learning, and I have been a pro for 20 years,' he said. 'He played very well, and he will go far, and he has the game.'

Chugh, who registered his best result of the season, reflected on a remarkable fightback: 'I am proud of the way I came back from a double bogey-bogey start on the first day and was 3-over after two holes. I played 17-under for my last 43 holes. I am very proud of that.'

Baisoya, who has won in Mauritius and recorded four other top-4 finishes this season, remained upbeat despite the missed opportunity: 'I tried my best, and I will keep doing that. I have been playing well, and I know I can win any week.'

What's Next

The IGPL circuit moves to Pune for the next event, scheduled from 18 to 20 November. Bhullar's dominant season — four wins in a single campaign — sets the bar high as the tour heads into its final stretch.