Chandigarh, March 13 (NationPress) In a stunning comeback, Gaganjeet Bhullar successfully defended his title at the IGPL Invitational Chandigarh, overcoming a four-shot deficit to secure his fourth IGPL victory in just six tournaments. Bhullar, who carded scores of 68-69 in the opening rounds, delivered a flawless 4-under 68 on the final day, showcasing remarkable skill with three birdies in a span of four holes from the 13th to the 16th on the back nine. His total score of 11-under par included only one bogey during the second round, reflecting his consistent performance.

Finishing in second place was Varun Parikh (70), while Sachin Baisoya (68) and Manav Shah (70) tied for third at 7-under par. Both Parikh and Shah made their IGPL debuts and expressed their excitement about their strong performances.

“Winning is always incredibly fulfilling, and I strive to maintain my focus,” Bhullar remarked, greeted by friends and supporters as he celebrated his triumph on the 18th green at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

“This course holds a special place in my heart, as it is my home course,” Bhullar noted, having previously clinched the title in the first two IGPL events last year and later adding a third victory.

Despite only participating in five IGPL events in 2025, Bhullar ranked third on the Order of Merit, trailing behind Pukhraj Singh Gill and Aman Raj.

IGPL newcomer, Varun Parikh, who credited Bhullar for encouraging him to join the league, finished second with a par on the last hole. He recorded rounds of 71-67-70 for a total of 8-under, finishing three shots behind the champion.

Overnight leader Aman Raj struggled on the final day with a score of 77, dropping to fifth at 6-under, while Varun Chopra (67) finished sixth at 5-under.

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of the IGPL, flew in from Singapore, where he was part of a pivotal agreement between the IGPL and the International Series, and expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “Without a doubt, Gaganjeet Bhullar is the premier Indian golfer at present. His consistent results validate this claim, and he has also been a guiding figure for younger players,” he stated.

Mundy further commented, “It is fitting that he won the opening event of the 2026 IGPL season, replicating his success from 2025.”

Last year’s IGPL Order of Merit champion, Pukhraj Singh Gill (73), was tied for seventh alongside Kapil Kumar (73), all three having been previous winners from the 2025 season.

Bhullar, whose family was present at the Chandigarh Golf Club to witness his victory, enjoys mentoring and serving as a role model for emerging talents. He stated, “It’s fantastic to kick off the new year with a win, and I am thrilled with the direction in which the IGPL is headed.”

The league has attracted numerous new talents, including Parikh, Shah, and Chopra, who all finished within the Top-6.

Reflecting on his performance, Bhullar said, “While I’m pleased with my game, I believe there’s room for improvement, especially in minimizing bogeys.”

Bhullar praised Parikh, who played alongside him in the final group, for handling the pressure well.

Parikh, in turn, admired Bhullar’s composure and confidence. “He remains calm and collected, even when things don’t go as planned. I sought his advice before joining the IGPL, and after our conversation, I was convinced that this was the right path toward the Asian Tour and the International Series,” he explained. The news of the recent tie-up between the IGPL and the International Series was a highlight for him.

As a debutant and runner-up, Parikh added, “Playing alongside Gaganjeet, a seasoned 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, was a valuable experience.”

The Top-10 was completed by a mix of youth and experience, including six-time Asian Tour winner SSP Chawrasia (70), Harendra Gupta (69), Veer Ganapathy (69), and left-handed player Kartik Sharma (72).