Auro Realty Goa Eagles GC clinched the X-Golf team title at Boulder Hills Golf and Country Club in Hyderabad on 14 November 2026, producing a composed, high-pressure performance across multiple elimination rounds to emerge as worthy champions of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) 2026 X-Golf competition. The triumph came just a day after Gaganjeet Bhullar won the Phoenix Invitational IGPL Hyderabad at the Vooty Golf Club, approximately 60 km from Hyderabad.

Goa Eagles' Path to Glory

Goa Eagles GC — represented by Kanav Chauhan, IL Aalaap, and Saarthak Chhibber — navigated three gruelling elimination stages before sealing the title in a nerve-shredding final. Their standout moment came in the Par-2 semi-final, where they completed the challenge in 20 seconds, bringing their effective time down to 10 seconds after earning a 10-second bonus. By contrast, Vimtra Chennai Lions GC finished at 36 seconds after a penalty, and Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC recorded 39 seconds including a 10-second penalty.

In the Par-2 final, Kanav Chauhan handled the tee shot with authority, while IL Aalaap holed out a long putt and leapt into the air in celebration. Saarthak Chhibber stood ready as a backup, underscoring the team's collective preparation and trust in one another.

Format and Group Stage Breakdown

The competition featured ten teams in total, with nine divided into three groups of three for the initial Par-4 round. Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC, who had topped the teams contest across the three-day tournament, received a seeding directly into the semi-final stage.

Each team was awarded a 30-second bonus in the opening Par-4 round, except Gurugram, whose player Joshua Grenville Wood went out of bounds and forfeited the bonus. Aryan of RVR Delhi Blue Bulls GC claimed the long-drive honours with an impressive 327-metre drive.

From the group stage, Vimtra Chennai Lions GC and Flyingman Kolkata Tigers GC advanced from Group A as Gurugram were eliminated. Golfkonnekt Bengaluru Stallions GC and Auro Realty Goa Eagles GC progressed from Group B after Atri Mumbai Garudas GC were knocked out — Udayan Mane losing time after failing to locate his ball. In Group C, Green Fuels Vizag Dolphins GC exited as Krishna Punjab Raptors and RVR Delhi Blue Bulls GC moved through. Notably, Bengaluru Stallions recorded the fastest gross time, benefiting from a 30-second long drive bonus that reduced their time to 35 seconds.

The 'Ring of Fire' Semi-Finals

The four semi-finalists — Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC, Vimtra Chennai Lions GC, RVR Delhi Blue Bulls GC, and Auro Realty Goa Eagles GC — competed in a Par-2 format with an added spectacle: the first shot had to be played through a 'Ring of Fire', which was lit by IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundy. RVR Delhi, who completed their attempt in 42 seconds, were eliminated first, leaving the remaining three teams to compete for the podium.

Final Standings and What It Means for IGPL

Auro Realty Goa Eagles GC finished as champions, with Vimtra Chennai Lions GC and Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC claiming second and third place respectively. The X-Golf competition blends long hitting, speed, short-game precision, and team coordination — a format where every second and every penalty carries significant consequence. This distinctive format adds a dynamic, spectator-friendly edge to the IGPL, reinforcing the league's ambition to broaden golf's appeal across Indian cities. With a successful Hyderabad leg now complete, attention turns to upcoming fixtures on the IGPL calendar.