Jeev Milkha Singh Triumphs at IGPL Invitational in Sri Lanka
A Stellar Finish for India's Golf Icon
Jeev Milkha Singh, a celebrated figure in Indian golf, concluded the inaugural season of the IGPL with a remarkable victory at the IGPL Invitational in Sri Lanka. This win marks his first professional title since 2012, as he outperformed a mix of seasoned and emerging talents on the greens of the Royal Colombo Golf Course.
After a lackluster second day, Jeev dedicated nearly thirty minutes to practice on the putting green, which proved beneficial. His exceptional putting skills complemented his impressive iron play, allowing him to consistently land his shots within 5-10 feet of the hole. At one point, he achieved five consecutive birdies and seven within nine holes, showcasing his prowess.
A Comeback to Remember
Starting the final round two shots behind Aryan Roopa Anand, Jeev, who recently celebrated his 54th birthday, delivered a stunning 6-under 65, finishing with a total of 15-under par. He narrowly defeated Aryan, who finished at 14-under after needing an eagle on the final hole but only managed a birdie.
In addition to Jeev's victory, Pukhraj Singh Gill, despite finishing tied for 12th, secured the IGPL Order of Merit title by a mere Rs. 9,000 over Aman Raj, after competing in 11 events with a total prize pool of Rs. 1.5 crore.
An Emotional Moment for Jeev
Overwhelmed with emotion, Jeev was surrounded by friends after his win, feeling both physically and emotionally spent. "This is my first time playing in Sri Lanka, and it holds special significance for me as it is where my parents first met. My mother was a volleyball player, and my father was here for athletics," he shared, wiping away tears.
"We lost them in 2021, and I struggled to find the motivation to play. However, I decided to play for them and win. I hope this victory brings them joy," he added, gazing at the clear skies.
Praise for the Course and Team
Jeev expressed his gratitude towards the Royal Colombo Golf Course and the event organizers, stating, "The course was fantastic, and the entire team did an excellent job, as did the IGPL team."
His son, Harjai, participated as an amateur, while Jeev's wife, Kudrat, supported them during the event. Harjai finished tied for 22nd.
A Fitting Champion for IGPL
After presenting the trophy and IGPL jacket to Jeev, Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL, remarked, "We couldn't have asked for a better champion to conclude the season than Jeev Milkha Singh, a global legend. His performance over the past three days was remarkable, demonstrating to the younger players that he remains a timeless champion."
Jeev's last professional win was at the 2012 Scottish Open, and throughout his career, he has achieved four victories on the European Tour, four on the Japan Tour, and six on the Asian Tour.
Birdie Barrage Seals the Win
Jeev's final round did not start ideally, as he dropped a shot on the first hole but quickly recovered with a birdie on the second. After two pars, he faced another setback on the fifth hole. However, he then launched into a birdie streak, scoring five consecutive birdies from the sixth to the tenth hole, taking the lead and maintaining it until the end. He added two more birdies on the 12th and 14th holes, allowing him to finish with four pars.
This victory may position Jeev as one of the oldest winners on a professional tour, providing the IGPL with a strong momentum in its inaugural year.
Other Notable Finishers
Karandeep Kochhar (65) secured third place at 12-under, while SSP Chawrasia (69) finished fourth at 11-under after a late bogey. Gaganjeet Bhullar (68), who began the IGPL Tour with two wins, placed fifth at 10-under. Local amateur Kaya Daluwatte (71), who once held a three-shot lead, finished sixth at 9-under. Veer Ganapathy, a standout performer this season, finished seventh at nine-under, consistently shooting under par throughout the tournament.
Aman Raj (71) and three others tied for eighth at 8-under, with Pranavi Urs, the top female finisher, also at Tied-8th.
Pukhraj Claims Order of Merit Title
Pukhraj Singh Gill (67), who celebrated his first professional win at IGPL Jamshedpur, finished tied for 12th after missing a crucial birdie opportunity. Nevertheless, he clinched the IGPL Order of Merit title by a narrow margin, earning Rs 81,90,652, while Aman Raj, with two wins this season, earned Rs 81,81,708.54, falling just short by less than Rs 9,000.
Gill's rewards include a spot in the upcoming US$ 2 million International Series in India and an opportunity to qualify for an Asian Tour event.