How Did Shaurya Binu Take the Lead in IGPL at Chandigarh?

Chandigarh, Sep 10 (NationPress) Shaurya Binu has taken a remarkable one-shot lead, marking his place as the first leader in the history of IGPL, which kicked off at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

After starting at 2-over through six holes, the 24-year-old from Bangalore finished strong with a 3-under 69, showcasing incredible perseverance that would surely make his Armyman father proud.

The Chandigarh Golf Club, having endured heavy rainfall in recent weeks, rose to the challenge and prepared the course for this historic inaugural IGPL. The greens were understandably slow, but players adapted as the day progressed.

“This is a landmark day for Indian golf, with nature favoring us as the sun shone brightly. A group of young amateurs turned pros and exhibited immense potential. The female players competed alongside the men for a purse of Rs. 1.5 crores, likely the largest many of them have ever faced, and the officials at the club were outstanding,” remarked Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL.

Leader Binu, initially two over after six holes, made a spectacular comeback, scoring a birdie on the Par-3 eighth and then the 13th to reach even par. He finished the day dramatically with three consecutive birdies, making the opening round unforgettable.

“I truly enjoyed the first day – the setup was engaging, and the organization of the tournament was exceptional. It felt international, and given the circumstances of the past few days, my expectations were exceeded. Thankfully, there’s no pressure of a ‘cut’ in this three-round event,” said Binu, who turned pro in 2023 and clinched his first title last year.

Binu mentioned that he switched his coach three months ago to Laurence Brotheridge, stating, “That has significantly improved my game.”

Sharing second place were Gaganjeet Bhullar, India’s most accomplished player on the Asian Tour, alongside the consistent M Dharma and talented amateur Krish Chawla, all finishing at 2-under 70. The only other player under par was local favorite Harendra Gupta (71), who has an impressive history at the Chandigarh Golf Club with multiple victories.

The opening day of IGPL also featured a significant milestone for promising teenagers Veer Ganapathy, Kartik Singh, and Raghav Chug, who played in the morning's first group, each carding 1-over 73.

Bhullar, who generously donated $100,000 for flood relief in Punjab, commended the course's condition despite the rains, stating, “The Club has done an excellent job getting it ready on such short notice.”

On the talent he witnessed at the IGPL, he added, “The IGPL has arrived at the perfect moment. It was brilliant to have Kartik, Veer, and Raghav, who made their pro debuts today, play together in the first group. It sends a strong message that the next generation is here!”

Bhullar praised the IGPL for its substantial prize money, fostering an environment where young amateurs and professionals play alongside seasoned players, including himself, and veterans like Gaurav Ghei.

Krish achieved two early birdies in his first six holes, followed by consecutive gains on the back nine, finishing with a score of 2-under 70.

Dharma concluded his round with birdies on the last two holes, tallying four birdies and two bogeys for a total score of 70.

The inclusion of women professionals and amateurs was a significant highlight, with 10 women competing alongside the men at the ₹1.5 crore event.

Among the women, the top score came from Jahanvi Bakshi, returning from a long injury layoff, finishing at 1-over 73. Following her, professional Khushi Khanijau and amateur Mannat Brar showcased their talent, with Mannat recently making headlines as the first Indian to reach the last 16 at the R&A Amateurs.