AR
The inaugural IGPL (India Golf Premier League) UAE got underway on Monday at The Els Club, Dubai, with His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, hitting the opening tee shot in the tournament hosted by Shiv Kapur.
General Abdullah Al Hashmi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation and Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. Image supplied
The event marks an important moment for the IGPL as it looks to build on a strong start and continue growing the game in the UAE.
At the end of day one, Indian golf legend SSP Chawrasia holds a two-shot lead, with Gaganjeet Bhullar close behind. SSP gave himself his best start in any IGPL event to date, firing a steady seven-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead at IGPL UAE.
“I love this city, where I have played a lot of DP World Tour events and I enjoy the vibe here,” said SSP. “I have a lot of friends and the city has great golfing facilities. So it is nice to come here with the IGPL Tour, and the seven-under round was the icing on the cake.”
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A group of five players, including two women, Hitaashee Bakshi and IGPL Mumbai winner Pranavi Urs, shared fourth place at three under par. The other players on three under were Karandeep Kochhar, Trishul Chinappa and M Dharma.
Young amateur Vihaan Reddy was part of a group of nine players tied for ninth at two under.
Bhullar, who has a perfect record in the IGPL and has won every time he has played the Tour, looked sharp once again. He kept a clean card, birdying the seventh and eighth, and added further gains at the 11th, 13th and 16th.
Kartik Singh, who came close to winning a couple of times in the first half of the IGPL season, made six birdies and one bogey to sit alongside Bhullar in second place. Bhullar is one of his idols.
A total of 22 players broke par at the challenging Els Club, where the IGPL is making its first international appearance this week.
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Main Image: Asian Tour
