Pukhraj Singh Gill Triumphs in ADT Players Championship After Dramatic Play-Off
Pukhraj Singh Gill Claims Victory in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], May 9: Pukhraj Singh Gill, who had been in contention since the first round, emerged victorious at the ADT Players Championship following an intense three-way play-off.
Gill, who was trailing by two shots heading into the final two holes, managed to turn the tide and clinched the title in extra holes at the Palm Course of Saujana Golf and Country Club, as reported by a press release from the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).
With a total score of 13-under, Gill matched the scores of Thanawin Lee (68) and Sean Ramos (68). It took him two additional holes to secure the championship and a prize of $19,250.
This victory positions Gill favorably for the ADT Order of Merit, with his next appearance set for the AM Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars event at Mazagan Beach Golf Resort. Currently, he 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 tied for 30th place, while Khalin Joshi ended up tied for 46th with a score of 77.
Gill sealed his win with a six-foot putt in the second play-off hole, celebrating with a triumphant shout as the ball sank into the cup. He was quickly surrounded by fellow Indian players, including Aman Raj and Aryan Roopa Anand, who were also competing this week.
Expressing his joy, Gill stated, “This victory has been a long time coming. It feels surreal, and I’m incredibly excited right now. This week in Malaysia has been fantastic. The course design suited my style perfectly, and I’m thrilled with how I played, even if it got a bit more 'interesting' than I would have preferred towards the end.”
He continued, “Winning after going into a play-off feels amazing. I’m on Cloud 9 right now. It’s going to take a while to fully appreciate this moment. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone back in India for their support and messages. I’m eager to return and celebrate. A big thank you to IGPL for organizing such a wonderful tour and to my team, Honer Homes Gurugram.”
This marks Gill's first international title, coming just months after he secured his first professional title on the 2025 IGPL Tour. He had shared the lead after the first round, maintained a two-shot lead after two rounds, and held 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 challenges with dropped shots on the sixth and ninth holes, while Ramos and Lee's strong performances narrowed his lead to just one shot.
The competition intensified as Lee took the lead with a birdie at the par-three 12th hole, but Gill responded with a birdie of his own 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, hitting a massive drive over the green and nearly chipping in. The three players reached the par-five 18th with Lee leading by one stroke at 14-under-par.
Lee seemed poised for victory when his third shot landed just off the green, but a poor chip and a missed 10-foot par putt left him with a closing score of 68. Both Gill (72) and Ramos (71) made par, resulting in a tie and a play-off.
During the play-off at the 18th hole, Gill and Ramos both made birdies from 10 and three feet, respectively, while Lee was eliminated after landing in a bunker.
Gill clinched the 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.
Gill becomes the second IGPL player to achieve success on the Asian Development Tour, following Karandeep Kochhar, who previously won an ADT event in Egypt.