Pune, Oct 3 (NationPress) Kapil Kumar clinched the title at the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Invitational in Pune with a thrilling finish against Kartik Singh at the Poona Golf Club on Friday. The competition was intense throughout the day as the lead continually changed among the top two players and Sachin Baisoya, culminating in a nail-biting finale.

The excitement peaked on the 18th hole, leading to a dramatic second play-off where Kapil finally achieved his long-awaited first professional victory, leaving Kartik still seeking his inaugural win. This coveted triumph earned Kapil a prize of Rs. 22.50 lakh, marking the largest cheque of his career, while Kartik celebrated his largest prize at Rs. 15 lakh.

The standout performance of the day came from Hitaashee Bakshi, who delivered an impressive 7-under 63, equaling Kartik's score on the second day. Hitaashee secured the title of the top female player, finishing in a tied-seventh position alongside Yashas Chandra (68).

Born in 2010, Kartik was just a year old when Kapil turned professional in 2009. Once again, he found himself tantalizingly close to victory but was unable to secure the win. After placing Tied-8th in Chandigarh and Tied-third at Jaypee Greens, he finished as the sole second in Pune, proving he is a golfer to watch in India.

With both Kapil (68) and Kartik (70) tied at 12-under, the suspense continued until the second play-off hole. Kapil, determined to avoid another runner-up finish, executed a fantastic lob wedge shot from over 40 yards, landing it within two feet of the pin. Kartik struggled in the rough, missing his birdie putt.

Kapil expressed, “I felt completely calm before that shot and throughout the play-off. Finishing second has become a familiar feeling for me. I just aimed to perform at my best, and it worked.” He added, “If I were to place second again today, I would accept it and keep striving.”

Reflecting on his performance, Kapil stated, “I played well throughout the week. I have had good outings in Pune previously, including a second-place finish here a few years back. The IGPL has brought me my first professional win, and I am ecstatic. I hope this is just the start.”

Disappointed yet optimistic, Kartik remarked, “This tournament was excellent. I believe my wins are on the horizon, but for now, I am satisfied with my game and will continue to improve. I am getting closer to that first win.”

Throughout the day, the competition was fierce as Kapil, Kartik, and a resurgent Sachin Baisoya vied for the lead.

Kartik commenced the day with a two-shot lead but faltered with a double bogey and a bogey on the third and fourth holes. He managed to recover to even par by the turn, but after briefly regaining the lead, he lost it again with bogeys on the 16th and 17th. Needing an eagle on the 18th to win, he almost succeeded, but a missed eagle putt forced him into a play-off.

Kapil, trailing by one at the turn, caught up with a birdie on the tenth. As Kartik stumbled again late in the game, Kapil kept his composure, scoring birdies on the 13th and 17th. He made par on the 18th, while Kartik’s birdie forced a play-off.

Meanwhile, Sachin Baisoya made a strong push early on with a 5-under 30 on the front nine, briefly joining the three-way tie at 11-under after the 10th hole. However, after running out of birdies and bogeying the 12th, he finished third at 11-under, just short of the play-off.

After parring the first play-off hole, Kapil emerged victorious on the second with a stunning lob wedge shot from just over 40 yards, landing within two feet for the winning putt. Kartik, after straying into the right rough, needed a challenging putt from off the green to keep the match alive but missed and parred, sealing his second-place finish.

Saarthak Chibber (66) claimed the sole fourth position at 10-under, marking his best finish in the IGPL to date, while IL Aalaap (65) finished fifth at 9-under and Aman Raj (67) was sixth at 8-under.