Aman Raj Shines at IGPL Season Opener with Stellar Performance

Aman Raj has made a remarkable start to the 2026 IGPL season, showcasing his talent with an impressive 8-under 64 at the Chandigarh Golf Club. Despite battling injuries last season, he leads the tournament and aims for consistency. With fierce competition from notable players like Gaganjeet Bhullar and Varun Parikh, the race for the IGPL Order of Merit is heating up. The recent partnership between IGPL and the International Series adds excitement for golfers seeking opportunities on the Asian Tour. Read on to explore the thrilling highlights of this season opener.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 02:10 IST

Aman Raj's Strong Start in the 2026 IGPL Season

Chandigarh, March 12: Despite facing injuries last season, Aman Raj has positioned himself strongly for a successful start in the new 2026 IGPL season, as reported by a recent press release from the IGPL.

The 30-year-old golfer from Patna, who secured two victories last season, delivered an impressive 8-under 64 under the scorching sun, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard with a total of 11-under. He began the tournament at the Chandigarh Golf Club with a solid 3-under 69.

In the previous season, Aman narrowly missed out on the IGPL Order of Merit title, finishing just behind Pukhraj Singh Gill by a margin of less than Rs. 9,000.

Aman maintained a four-shot lead over Gaganjeet Bhullar, the most accomplished Indian golfer on the Asian Tour with 11 wins. He acknowledged Bhullar's potential, stating, "He can recover from any setback. His consistency last year in the IGPL was remarkable."

Reflecting on his performance, Aman remarked, "I had a rough start on the first hole but managed to birdie it. It was that kind of day. My tee shots were challenging, but my short game was exceptional, which helped me throughout the round."

With a chuckle, he added, "I feel okay, but I need to maintain consistency. Although I'm not entirely free from minor injuries, I understand the need to adapt and give my best. Today was a good day, and I hope for more like it."

Bhullar, who played a bogey-free first round with a score of 68, faced challenges in the second round with one bogey and four bogeys. He commented, "Ironically, I struck the ball well and have been performing nicely. However, I struggled to convert birdie opportunities over the last two days. That's an area I need to improve. Overall, my game feels solid, and I'm eager for a successful season."

In 2025, Bhullar clinched three victories and finished third in the IGPL Order of Merit, despite participating in only half of the events due to commitments in the International Series and Asian Tour.

The competition for the Order of Merit in 2025 was intense, with the top three players—Pukhraj (Rs. 81,90,652), Aman Raj (Rs. 81,81,708), and Bhullar (Rs. 81,30,000)—separated by just over Rs. 60,000.

Bhullar expressed excitement about the recent announcement of a partnership between IGPL and the International Series, stating, "I was thrilled to hear about the tie-up as I was finishing my round. This could be a game-changer for my fellow golfers. It presents a significant opportunity for Indian golf, which has immense talent, and IGPL is paving the way for lucrative prospects."

Varun Parikh, a debutant at IGPL, celebrated his performance after following up a first-round 71 with a 67, placing him at 6-under and third overall. He was particularly excited about the IGPL's partnership with the International Series, which he believes will provide a pathway to the Asian Tour. "This news is incredible. I aspire to join the Asian Tour and reach the International Series. The tie-up is a massive motivation for many of us aiming for the Asian Tour, which offers familiar conditions," he shared.

While Aman Raj leads by a significant margin, the competition remains fierce behind him. Alongside Bhullar (four shots back) and Parikh (five shots back), four other players are at 5-under, trailing by six shots.

Aman Raj's performance at the Chandigarh Golf Club demonstrates that low scores are achievable, making no lead secure.

Kapil Kumar (70-69), a winner in 2025, is tied for fourth with local veteran Ranjit Singh (70-69), despite a closing bogey, along with Indian-American Manav Shah (69-70) and last year's Pukhraj Singh Gill (70-69), who is gradually recovering from an off-season injury.

Yashas Chandra (68-72) and former Asian Tour champion Chiragh Kumar (69-71) are tied for eighth place.

Young amateur Harjai Milkha Singh showcased his talent by adding a 3-under 69 to his first-round 72, placing him tied for 10th alongside the experienced Karandeep Kochhar (70-71) and Sachin Baisoya (72-69) at 3-under. Although his father, Jeev Milkha Singh, competes on distant courses, Harjai proved that Chandigarh is his family's stronghold, achieving five birdies against two bogeys.