Danish Verma, who turned 15 just last month and holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever Indian professional golfer, stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Phoenix Invitational Hyderabad after two rounds at Vooty Golf County on 12 November 2026. Competing in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), the teenager from Ludhiana sits at 11-under par, one shot clear of a chasing pack that includes seasoned names Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shiv Kapur, and rising star Harshjeet Singh Sethie.

How Verma Built His Lead

Verma opened with a 5-under 67 on Day One and followed it with an impressive 6-under 66 on Thursday to reach 11-under overall, taking sole possession of the lead heading into the final round. Playing Vooty Golf County for the first time, the teenager adapted quickly to the layout, crediting the course's shorter design as a natural fit for his strengths.

He could have extended his lead to two shots but for a late bogey on the par-4 17th hole. Verma, however, was characteristically composed. 'I struck the ball very well throughout the round. Yes, I did miss a couple of putts under 10 feet; getting that would have been better. But overall, a great round,' he said.

His enthusiasm for the venue was evident. 'It's a short course. We have a lot of birdie opportunities, and the favourite part of my game is wedge play, and I get to play that here a lot. So, it's good playing here,' he said, laughing. Coached by Chandigarh-based Jesse Grewal, Verma plays for Green Fuels Vizag Dolphins GC in the league.

The Chasing Pack: Bhullar, Kapur and Sethie at 10-Under

Gaganjeet Bhullar of Vimtra Chennai Lions GC, who has already claimed three wins this season including back-to-back victories in Hyderabad and Vizag, carded rounds of 66 and 68 to sit at 10-under. A birdie on the final hole on Day Two gave him some late momentum. 'That was nice. Didn't get many birdies, but it is ok. I am still there,' Bhullar said, hinting at a push for a fourth title.

Shiv Kapur was equally compelling, beginning his second round with four birdies in the first five holes before a bogey on the 8th. Three more birdies on the 12th, 14th, and 15th took him briefly to 11-under, but a bogey on the 17th — mirroring Verma's stumble — left him one back. 'I am playing well, but today I had a three-putt and overshot the green also,' said Kapur, whose rounds of 68 and 66 put him firmly in contention.

Harshjeet Singh Sethie, in strong recent form, delivered a second consecutive 67 — this time featuring five birdies and no bogeys — to match Bhullar and Kapur at 10-under. His consistency across both rounds makes him a credible threat for the title.

Chugh's 64 Puts Him in the Mix

Raghav Chugh of Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds GC produced the best round of the day, a blistering 8-under 64 featuring four birdies on each nine and no bogeys, to leap to 9-under and join a four-way tie for fifth. He is joined at T-5 by Tushar Pannu (68-67), Arjun Prasad (66-69), and Sachin Baisoya (66-69). With eight players within two shots of the lead, the stage is set for an intense final round.

A Teen Undaunted by the Occasion

What stands out about Verma is not just his ball-striking but his mental composure, remarkable for a player of his age. 'Every time I tee up, I think I have entered the tournament to win. Doesn't matter how I finish, but the thought process is to win, and I do not really think about my age,' he said confidently. The young pro is also enjoying the camaraderie in the field, counting fellow young players like Veer Ganapathy (currently T-29 at 5-under after rounds of 75 and 68) among his close friends. As for his prize money, he is refreshingly unbothered — 'My father takes care of it and invests it. I just want to play and get to bigger Tours like the Asian Tour, DP World Tour and PGA Tour and the Majors,' he said. The final round at Vooty Golf County will determine whether India's youngest professional can convert his lead into a maiden IGPL title.