Pukhraj Singh Gill Triumphs in ADT Players Championship After Dramatic Play-Off
Pukhraj Singh Gill's Remarkable Victory
Pukhraj Singh Gill, who maintained a share of the lead since the first round, clinched the ADT Players Championship following an intense three-way play-off. Overcoming a two-shot deficit in the final two holes, Gill secured his victory in extra holes at the Palm Course in Saujana, as reported by the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).
Gill's Performance and Future Prospects
Representing Honer Homes Gurugram in the IGPL, Gill finished with a total score of 13-under, matching Thanawin Lee and Sean Ramos, both of whom shot 68. It took Gill two additional holes to claim the title and a prize of $19,250 at the Saujana Golf and Country Club. This win positions him favorably for the ADT Order of Merit, with his next appearance scheduled at the AM Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars event at Mazagan Beach Golf Resort. Currently, Gill ranks third in the Order of Merit after four events. Another Indian golfer, Kartik Singh, who participated in the IGPL in 2025, recorded the lowest round of the day with a score of 65, finishing T-30, while Khalin Joshi ended T-46 with a score of 77.
Gill's Emotional Reaction
Gill sealed his victory with a six-foot putt in the second play-off hole, expressing his relief with a triumphant roar as the ball dropped into the cup. Surrounded by fellow Indian players, including Aman Raj and Aryan Roopa Anand, Gill shared, "This feels surreal. It’s going to take a while to sink in, but I’m just so pumped right now. I had a great week in Malaysia, and I was pleased with the course design, which suited my style. I made it more 'interesting' than I intended towards the end." He added, "Winning after a play-off feels incredible. I’m grateful for all the support from back home in India and can’t wait to celebrate. A big thank you to IGPL for a fantastic tour and to my team, Honer Homes Gurugram."
Final Day Highlights
This victory marks Gill's first international title, following his initial pro title on the 2025 IGPL Tour. He shared the lead after the first round, took a two-shot lead after two rounds, and maintained a one-shot advantage after the third round. Starting the final round with a one-shot lead over Ramos, Gill began strongly with three birdies in his first four holes, extending his lead to five shots. However, he faced setbacks with dropped shots on the sixth and ninth holes, while Ramos and Lee capitalized on his mistakes, narrowing his lead to just one stroke.
The competition intensified as Lee took the lead with a birdie at the par-three 12th hole, but Gill responded with a birdie at the par-five 13th. Despite three consecutive bogeys from Hole 14, neither Lee nor Ramos could pull ahead. Gill showcased his power at the par-four 17th, nearly chipping in after a long drive. As they approached the par-five 18th, Lee held a one-stroke lead at 14-under-par. Although Lee seemed poised for victory, a poor chip and missed par putt allowed both Gill and Ramos to tie, forcing a play-off.
During the play-off at the 18th, both Gill and Ramos made birdies on the first extra hole, while Lee was eliminated after landing in a bunker. Gill ultimately secured his win with a birdie on the second sudden-death hole, hitting his third shot from a greenside bunker to six feet and sinking the putt, while Ramos missed a long par attempt after struggling with his second shot.
A Historic Achievement
Gill becomes the second player from IGPL to achieve success on the Asian Development Tour, following Karandeep Kochhar, who previously won an ADT event in Egypt.