How Did IGPL: Bhullar Join Binu in Lead with Debutant Pros Kartik and Veer in Hot Pursuit?

Chandigarh, Sep 11 (NationPress) Gaganjeet Bhullar showcased his prowess with a consistent 1-under 71, placing him at the top alongside the overnight leader Shaurya Binu in the inaugural Rs. 1.5 crore IGPL Invitational Chandigarh.

Both Bhullar (70-71) and Binu (69-72) finished tied at 3-under, as the opening event of the IGPL Tour remained fiercely competitive, with Kapil Kumar and Harendra Gupta trailing at 1-under and two shots behind in Tied third place.

With a total of six players at even par, the challenging course yielded limited low scores, resulting in a tightly packed leaderboard ahead of the final day.

No less than ten competitors were within three shots of the leaders, heightening the intensity of the quest to become the inaugural IGPL Champion. As both young talents and seasoned professionals vie for victory, an exhilarating final day awaits, a rarity in Indian golf.

Adding to the excitement was the presence of female pro Jahanvi Bakshi, who was tied for fifth with five others, just three shots behind the leaders. A potential victory for her would mark a historic achievement as she makes her comeback following injuries over the past few years.

While Bhullar and Binu hold the lead, a host of players—both young and experienced—are close behind, eager to claim the Rs. 22.50 lakh winner’s cheque, one of the largest in any domestic event in India.

Noteworthy on the leaderboard were debutant professionals Kartik Singh (73-71) and Veer Ganapathy (72-72), who are also making significant impressions.

Kartik, Veer, and Jahanvi are tied for fifth alongside Sanju Kumar, local player Ranjit Singh, and Saarthak Chibber, who made a notable comeback on day two with the best score of 69 after an opening round of 75.

Bhullar began the day with a bogey but rebounded with birdies on the second and fourth holes, followed by a series of pars. He added a birdie on the 12th but countered with a bogey on the 14th, finishing with a 71 that placed him at 3-under.

“Winning this IGPL Tour event in Chandigarh, a city that feels like home, would mean a lot to me,” Bhullar remarked.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing alongside younger golfers. They possess immense talent and a bright future,” added Bhullar, who boasts 11 victories on the Asian Tour, the highest for any Indian golfer.

Binu, who started the day leading at 3-under, initially threatened to extend his lead with three birdies and just one bogey in the first seven holes. However, after turning, he faced a challenging stretch with bogey-double bogey-bogey from the 14th to the 16th, finishing 1-over for the day, yet still at 6-under overall.

“I can’t blame the putting; my game just fell apart after the early holes. Those three holes didn’t suit my style,” said Binu.

Kartik experienced a tumultuous round, scoring five birdies and three bogeys. Although he was positioned well at 2-under until the 16th, he struggled with his putting, bogeying the last two holes to finish even par, three shots behind the leaders.

“My putting let me down towards the end,” Kartik noted, expressing confidence in rebounding on the final day.

Veer Ganapathy delivered another even-par round, under the guidance of his father, Rahul Ganapathy, a former All India Amateur champion.

In Tied third place, trailing Bhullar and Binu, were Kapil Kumar, from a notable golfing family, and Harendra Gupta, whose affinity for the Chandigarh Golf Club is unmatched.

Local golfer Harendra, 41, sharpened his skills at this very course, where he has celebrated four of his 11 professional victories. He shared that the IGPL has reignited his passion for the game.

Kapil, 33, has consistently finished in the Top-5 on the Indian pro Tour and is still pursuing his first professional win this week.

The leading female player after two rounds was Jahanvi, the elder sister of Hitaashee, who is also competing in Switzerland this week. Jahanvi is making a comeback from injuries that had jeopardized her career but is finding her game again.

“The IGPL has provided me with a fantastic opportunity to rediscover my game, and I’m thrilled to be back on the course,” said Jahanvi.

Among the tightly packed leaderboard, six players, including debutants Kartik and Veer, share Tied fifth.