Dubai, Dec 8 (NationPress) Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia, a prominent figure in Indian golf, achieved an exceptional start at the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Tour event by carding a remarkable 7-under 65, securing the first-round lead at IGPL UAE in Dubai on Monday.

Competing at the Els Club in Dubai, Chawrasia, a six-time champion on the Asian Tour—with four victories in co-sanctioned events alongside the DP World Tour—registered three birdies on the front nine and added four more on the back nine, establishing a two-shot advantage over the in-form Gaganjeet Bhullar, who recorded a 5-under 67, tying with teen sensation Kartik Singh, who also posted a 67.

Both Chawrasia and Bhullar played bogey-free rounds, while Kartik faced one bogey amid six birdies.

A competitive group of five, featuring two women, Hitaashee Bakshi and the IGPL Mumbai champion, Pranavi Urs, stood in tied fourth at 3-under. The other three players at this score included Karandeep Kochhar, Trishul Chinappa, and the seasoned M Dharma.

Young amateur Vihaan Reddy was part of a large contingent of nine players tied for ninth at 2-under. Others in this group included the IGPL Money leader Aman Raj, veteran Ranjit Singh, Yashas Chandra, former Asian Tour winner Chiragh Kumar, IGPL Jamshedpur champion Pukhraj Singh Gill, Ridhima Dilawari, who balances her time between the Ladies European Tour and the domestic Women’s Pro Golf Tour, the promising Shaurya Binu, and the talented teen Veer Ganapathy.

Chawrasia, who expressed his affection for playing in Dubai, stated, “I adore this city, where I've participated in numerous European Tour events, and I relish the atmosphere here. I have many friends, and the city boasts excellent golfing facilities. It’s wonderful to be here with the IGPL Tour, and a 7-under round is just the cherry on top.”

He chuckled and added, “This marks the inaugural season of IGPL, and owning one of those IGPL trophies would be fantastic.”

Bhullar, maintaining a flawless record in IGPL with a win every time he has participated, displayed impressive performance yet again. He achieved two birdies on the front nine at the seventh and eighth holes, and additional gains on the 11th, 13th, and 16th on the back nine without any bogeys.

“I’m truly enjoying my time on the IGPL Tour. There’s no pressure, and it’s delightful to witness so many young talents like Kartik Singh, who is tied with me at 5-under. Playing alongside numerous top stars offers them invaluable experience,” he remarked.

“As for my game, I’m performing well and aim to maintain this momentum and strive for a four in four,” he concluded.

Kartik Singh, who narrowly missed victories on a couple of occasions earlier in the IGPL season, achieved six birdies against one bogey, tying for second with Bhullar, one of his idols.

Avani Prashanth, fresh from a successful LET season that assured her playing rights for 2026, scored 1-under to tie for 19th alongside Tushar Pannu, Harshjeet Sethie, legend Gaurav Ghei, and Sunhit Bishnoi, who is recovering from a wrist injury. Tournament host Shiv Kapur recorded 1-over 73, placing him T-23.

Jeev Milkha Singh, arriving directly from Mauritius where he was the runner-up in the MCB Mauritius on the European Legends Tour for Over-50s, had a round filled with action, scoring 2-over 74 with five birdies, five bogeys, and a late double bogey on the 17th hole, placing him Tied-33rd.

A total of 22 players managed to finish under par at the demanding Els Club, marking the IGPL's inaugural international appearance this week.