Gaganjeet Bhullar, the most prolific active Asian Tour winner, headlines a strong Indian contingent at the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic teeing off this week at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Morocco. Joining him as top contenders are 2019 Order of Merit winner Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and in-form South African Ian Snyman, currently third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

More than 40 players from the IGPL Tour have earned entry into the jointly sanctioned event, the flagship of the Indian Golf Premier League calendar. After a successful debut at Kensville Golf Resort in Gujarat last year, the tournament has shifted to Morocco for its second edition.

What is at stake

A win this week earns the champion a full card to the Asian Tour, while strong showings can unlock entry to the lucrative International Series — the next leg of which is scheduled in Morocco next week. The format features a 144-player field, with a 36-hole cut and the top 65 and ties advancing to the weekend.

“Getting to an event like this what IGPL has provided for us, plus there are opportunities on the International Series,” said Pukhraj Singh Gill, winner of the AM Green IGPL Order of Merit 2025. Gill has already debuted on the International Series and will tee up next week at the USD 2 million event alongside several Major winners.

Bhullar eyes long-awaited Asian Tour return

Bhullar, third on the all-time Asian Tour winners list, is chasing his first Tour title since November 2023 — a drought of more than 30 months. In the interim, the Chandigarh-based veteran has lifted four IGPL titles, the most recent in March in his adopted home city.

Indian field runs deep

Alongside Bhullar and Gill, the Indian challenge features Karandeep Kochhar, Udayan Mane, young Kartik Singh — who finished T-12 last week on the Asian Development Tour — Shaurya Bhattacharya, Aman Raj, Sachin Baisoya and Aryan Roopa Anand, among others.

The international threat

Snyman arrives in red-hot form after his maiden Asian Tour victory at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open last month, a T-10 at the Korea Open, a T-3 at the Maekyung Open and a T-5 at the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship. Thailand's Pavit Tangkamolprasert, fourth on the Order of Merit, brings a runner-up finish from the Philippines and a T-2 at International Series Japan.

Sweden's Charlie Lindh, sole second at the Korea Open and T-6 at the New Zealand Open, and American Austen Truslow — winner of the New Zealand PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia — round out the heavyweight overseas contenders. Janewattananond, a nine-time Asian Tour winner whose last title came at the 2022 International Series Morocco, returns to familiar terrain after a T-3 at the Singapore Open in April.

Defending champion in the mix

Thailand's Poosit Supupramai, who lifted the inaugural trophy at Kensville last year, returns to defend his crown. Last week's Asian Development Tour winner in Morocco, Tanapat Pichaikool, will also seek to extend his hot streak. The host venue, designed by nine-time major champion Gary Player, is widely regarded as one of the most scenic courses on the Atlantic coast — and a stern test that could shape the season's Order of Merit race in the weeks ahead.