Will Indian Golf Legends Bhullar, Kapur, Chawrasia, and Jeev Shine at IGPL UAE?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gaganjeet Bhullar aims for his fourth straight win.
- Jeev Milkha Singh makes his debut in IGPL.
- The event features a mix of seasoned pros and emerging talents.
- The IGPL is expanding its reach to international audiences.
- Indian women's participation adds depth to the competition.
Dubai, Dec 7 (NationPress) Gaganjeet Bhullar has emerged victorious every time he has participated in the inaugural IGPL season. With three wins in Chandigarh, Jaypee Greens, and Ahmedabad, Bhullar aims to extend his winning streak to Dubai, looking to secure his fourth consecutive title.
While golfing icons Shiv Kapur and SSP Chawrasia have previously graced the IGPL, this week marks the debut of Jeev Milkha Singh, a staunch advocate for innovation in golf. Dubai holds a special place in Jeev's heart, as he has competed multiple times in the Desert Classic.
This week is a significant milestone for the young IGPL, showcasing a formidable lineup of Indian golfing stars in the Middle East.
“It’s a pivotal moment for IGPL as we embark on our first international journey with a unique Indian golf initiative. We have enjoyed immense success domestically over nine events, including the Bharath Classic. The upcoming IGPL Invitational 2025 UAE, hosted by Shiv Kapur in Dubai, represents a major leap towards globalizing this Tour,” stated Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL.
The blend of emerging talents and seasoned players, including female golfers, has been remarkable. The triumph of Pranavi Urs at IGPL Mumbai exemplifies the effectiveness of providing a platform for women to enhance their skills alongside elite male professionals.
“The next milestone will be when young talents like Kartik Singh, Veer Ganapathy, and Raghav Chugh lift an IGPL trophy. They have come very close, and now it’s time to seal the deal,” he added.
Shiv Kapur, who is playing as both a competitor and host this week, emphasized, “This event has been in the making for a long time, and we have gathered the finest talent in the IGPL family.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar, an Asian Games silver medalist from 2006 before turning pro, expressed, “I enjoy playing in Dubai, and it’s fantastic to have an Indian event here. Indian golf is truly advancing.”
The IGPL makes its international debut featuring stars like Jeev Milkha Singh, a multiple champion on the DP World Tour, Asian Tour, and Japan Tour; Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour; Chawrasia, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour and a four-time DP World Tour champion; and Kapur, a former Asian Games gold medalist and four-time winner on the Asian Tour.
Other notable past winners include the legendary Gaurav Ghei, Harmeet Kahlon, C Muniyappa, and Chiragh Kumar, alongside Asian Development Tour victors like Karandeep Kochhar and Sujjan Singh, now a prominent coach in Dubai, as well as Olympian Udayan Mane.
The event gains star power with the participation of three Indian women, Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth, and Hitaashee Bakshi, who have secured their spots in the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Other top female golfers include Vani Kapoor, Amandeep Drall, Ridhima Dilawari, and Jasmine Shekar.
The lineup also features UAE pro Ahmad Skak, alongside two UAE amateurs, Sabiq Baji and Rayan Ahmed, and South African amateur Kaiden Chetty.
To date, the IGPL Tour has hosted nine events, including the co-sanctioned Bharath Classic at Kensville, Ahmedabad.
This week, all eight Indian champions are competing, including the groundbreaking Pranavi Urs, who made history as the first woman to win in a mixed field of male and female professionals at IGPL Mumbai.
Though Bhullar has played only three events compared to others' nine, he stands third in the Order of Merit with earnings of Rs. 67,50,000 from his three victories, closely trailing Aman Raj (Rs. 75,13,421) and Sachin Baisoya (Rs. 73,46,182). Pukhraj Singh Gill follows closely with Rs. 66,45,352, and rookie Kartik Singh has accumulated Rs. 54,22,657.
An interesting note is that among the Top-4, only Baisoya has yet to secure a win, despite his consistent performance. “It’s just a matter of time,” he remarked confidently. “The key is maintaining consistency in the game.”
While Bhullar has claimed three victories, Aman Raj has two wins, and Pukhraj has one. Fellow male champion Kapil Kumar from Pune is also competing in Dubai.
The field comprises 48 professionals, including nine women and eight amateurs.