Varun Chopra wins IGPL Invitational title with final-day 68 in Ras Al Khaimah
Synopsis
Varun Chopra came from three shots back to win the IGPL Invitational in Ras Al Khaimah with a composed final-round 68, ending Shiv Kapur's tournament — the same Kapur who had lit up day one with a stunning 10-under 62. The win, worth ₹22.50 lakh, is Chopra's first IGPL title and marks a standout season for the Indian-American, who also won the APGA Tour championship earlier this year.
Key Takeaways
Varun Chopra won the IGPL Invitational in Ras Al Khaimah on 25 September 2026 with a 14-under 202 total.
Chopra's final-round 4-under 68 gave him a two-shot win over overnight leader Shiv Kapur , who slipped to a 1-over 73 .
Chopra claimed the winner's cheque of ₹22.50 lakh ; Kapur received ₹15 lakh for second place.
Auro Goa Eagles won the team title at 23-under , with RVR Delhi Blue Bulls second at 21-under .
It is Chopra's first IGPL title; he also won the APGA Tour championship earlier in 2026.
Sachin Baisoya finished third at 8-under , with five players tied fifth.
Varun Chopra produced a commanding final-round 4-under 68 at the IGPL Invitational in Ras Al Khaimah on 25 September 2026 to clinch his first IGPL title, overtaking overnight leader Shiv Kapur by two shots. Chopra, who had started the day three strokes adrift, finished at 14-under 202 — rounds of 66-68-68 — while Kapur slipped to a final-day 1-over 73 to end at 12-under 204.
How the Title Was Won
Chopra's victory was built on a blistering front nine. He opened with a birdie and then rattled off three birdies in four holes between the fifth and the eighth, seizing the momentum he needed to reel in Kapur. By the turn, Chopra had moved ahead of the field, and he held his nerve on the back nine with minimal drama.
He birdied the 14th but gave that shot back at the 16th, before parring the closing two holes safely. That brief wobble ultimately did not cost him, as Kapur — who had astonished the field with a 10-under 62 on day one — could not find a single birdie in response on the final day, dropping a bogey on the Par-4 12th for a 73.
Prize Money and Individual Standings
Chopra collected the winner's cheque of ₹22.50 lakh, his reward for a disciplined three-day performance. Kapur took home ₹15 lakh for second place.
Sachin Baisoya claimed third with a closing 68 for a total of 8-under. Five players shared fifth place: Veer Ganapathy (71), Gaganjeet Bhullar (71), Varun Parikh (71), Aryan Roopa Anand (68), and Tushar Pannu (68). IGPL debutant Ravi Kumar (70) and young Kanav Chauhan (71) tied ninth to complete the top-10.
Team Title: Auro Goa Eagles Dominate
Chopra's superb showing delivered a double for Auro Goa Eagles, who claimed the team title at 23-under. Kapur-led RVR Delhi Blue Bulls finished second at 21-under, while Hyderabad Firebird and Flying Man Kolkata tied for third at 13-under — Baisoya starring for Hyderabad and Varun Parikh leading the charge for Kolkata.
Chopra's Rising Form on Tour
This is Chopra's first IGPL title. The Indian-American golfer had already demonstrated his form earlier in the year, winning the APGA Tour championship and recording a strong finish at the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech. His consistency across three rounds in Ras Al Khaimah underlines a golfer hitting peak form at the right time.
With Chopra collecting his maiden IGPL crown and Auro Goa Eagles sweeping both individual and team honours, the tournament sets the stage for what promises to be an absorbing season ahead on the Indian golf circuit.
Point of View
As spectacular as it was, papered over the vulnerability. Chopra's win is more than a one-week story: an APGA Tour title and now an IGPL crown in the same year signals a golfer forcing his way into the conversation at the top of Indian golf. The IGPL's team format adds a layer of consequence that pure stroke-play events lack, and the Auro Goa Eagles' clean sweep — individual and team — will be the benchmark other franchises chase.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the IGPL Invitational 2026?
Varun Chopra won the IGPL Invitational 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah, finishing at 14-under 202 after rounds of 66-68-68. He beat overnight leader Shiv Kapur by two shots to claim his first IGPL title and a prize cheque of ₹22.50 lakh.
What happened to Shiv Kapur on the final day?
Shiv Kapur, who led by three shots entering the final round after a spectacular 10-under 62 on day one, could not produce a single birdie on the closing day. He dropped a bogey on the Par-4 12th and carded a 1-over 73 to finish second at 12-under 204, receiving ₹15 lakh.
Which team won the IGPL Invitational team title?
Auro Goa Eagles won the team title at 23-under, boosted by Varun Chopra's individual triumph. RVR Delhi Blue Bulls finished second at 21-under, while Hyderabad Firebird and Flying Man Kolkata tied for third at 13-under.
What is Varun Chopra's record in 2026?
Varun Chopra has had an outstanding 2026 season — he won the APGA Tour championship earlier in the year, performed well at the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech, and has now added his maiden IGPL Invitational title. The Indian-American golfer is emerging as one of the standout names on the Indian golf circuit.
Who finished third at the IGPL Invitational 2026?
Sachin Baisoya took third place with a final-round 68, finishing at 8-under overall. His performance also helped his team, Hyderabad Firebird, tie for third in the team standings at 13-under alongside Flying Man Kolkata.
