IGPL Bharath Classic: Kochhar trails leader by one shot after Round 1
Synopsis
Karandeep Kochhar is just one stroke off the lead after Round 1 of the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic in Morocco, with fellow Indian Aryan Roopa Anand also inside the top 10. Thailand's Runchanapong Youprayong leads at 7-under, but the leaderboard is tight — four players separated by a single shot heading into Day 2.
Key Takeaways
Karandeep Kochhar carded 6-under 66 to sit tied second after Round 1 of the IGPL Bharath Classic in El Jadida, Morocco .
Runchanapong Youprayong of Thailand leads at 7-under 65 , with eight birdies and one bogey.
Kochhar trails the leader by one shot ; Will Florimo (Australia) and Nicklas Regner (Austria) also share second place.
Aryan Roopa Anand is the second-best Indian in the field, carding 4-under 68 with six birdies including three consecutive on the front nine.
The tournament carries a total purse of USD 500,000 and is being played at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort .
Karandeep Kochhar fired a composed 6-under 66 at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Morocco, to sit in tied second place after the opening round of the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic on 6 June. The 26-year-old from Chandigarh trails overnight leader Runchanapong Youprayong of Thailand by a single stroke.
Kochhar's Round 1 Scorecard
Kochhar built his round on a dominant front nine, stringing together four consecutive birdies from the second hole to turn at 5-under 31. He added two more birdies on the back nine but dropped one bogey, finishing with a 66 that places him firmly in contention. The Chandigarh golfer is a four-time winner on the Indian circuit and claimed his maiden IGPL Tour title late last year at the IGPL Dubai event hosted by Shiv Kapur.
Runchanapong Sets the Pace
Thailand's Runchanapong Youprayong leads the field with a flawless 7-under 65, featuring eight birdies against just one bogey. The Thai star arrives in form, having finished third at the IGPL Morocco Rising Stars last week at the same venue — course familiarity that appears to have paid dividends. Sharing second place with Kochhar are Australia's Will Florimo and Austria's Nicklas Regner, both also at 6-under.
Aryan Roopa Anand Inside the Top 10
The next-best Indian in the field, Aryan Roopa Anand, carded a 4-under 68 despite two bogeys, anchored by six birdies — including three in succession from the third to the fifth hole on the front nine. Aryan enters this week buoyed by his recent victory at the IGPL Congo, a win that has visibly lifted his confidence on tour.
What to Watch in Round 2
With Kochhar just one shot off the lead and two more rounds to play, India has a strong chance of its first IGPL Bharath Classic title. Runchanapong's course knowledge gives him an edge, but the packed leaderboard — four players within a single shot — sets up a tightly contested second day at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.
Point of View
000 leaderboard is no accident — his IGPL Dubai win last year signalled a player ready to compete consistently at this level. The more telling detail is Aryan Roopa Anand's presence in the top 10; back-to-back strong showings after the IGPL Congo win suggest Indian golf is developing genuine tour-ready depth, not just one-off performers. Runchanapong's course advantage is real, but a one-shot lead on a packed leaderboard is fragile. If Kochhar replicates his front-nine aggression in Round 2, the pressure shifts to the Thai leader.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IGPL Bharath Classic?
The IGPL Bharath Classic is a professional golf tournament on the IGPL Tour with a total prize purse of USD 500,000, being played at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Morocco.
What score did Karandeep Kochhar shoot in Round 1?
Kochhar carded a 6-under 66, featuring four consecutive birdies on the front nine and two more on the back, with one bogey. He is tied second, one shot behind leader Runchanapong Youprayong.
Who leads the IGPL Bharath Classic after Round 1?
Thailand's Runchanapong Youprayong leads at 7-under 65 after Round 1, having recorded eight birdies against one bogey. He also finished third at the IGPL Morocco Rising Stars at the same venue the previous week.
How did Aryan Roopa Anand perform in Round 1?
Aryan Roopa Anand shot 4-under 68 with six birdies, including three in a row from the third to fifth holes, despite two bogeys. He is the second-best-placed Indian in the field heading into Round 2.
Who else is tied for second place with Kochhar?
Australia's Will Florimo and Austria's Nicklas Regner are both tied second alongside Kochhar at 6-under after the opening round of the IGPL Bharath Classic.
