Tushar Pannu Shines at IGPL Congo with Impressive 6-Under Round

Tushar Pannu's Stellar Performance

Tushar Pannu, a 21-year-old golfer with less than a year of professional experience, demonstrated remarkable skill by scoring a 6-under 67 at the Par-73 Golf Club Lubumbashi during the inaugural Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) in Congo.

Pannu, who turned professional last year after successfully navigating the Qualifying School, achieved five birdies, one eagle, and a single bogey in his impressive round. He shared the lead with 19-year-old Mannat Brar, a newly minted pro from the Women's Golf Association, who also recorded a 6-under 67 without any bogeys, according to a press release from the IGPL.

Overview of the AM Green IGPL Invitational Congo

The AM Green IGPL Invitational Congo marks the fourth event in the AM Green IGPL Tour 2026 and is the third event in the African Swing, following tournaments in Chandigarh, Mauritius, and Johannesburg, South Africa. This week's competition is hosted at the eco-friendly Par-73 Golf Club de Lubumbashi.

Rising Stars in the Tournament

Alongside Pannu and Brar, rookie pro Sukhman Singh showcased his potential by finishing with a score of 5-under 68, placing him in third. Meanwhile, seasoned player Aman Raj, a multiple winner in 2025, and Harendra Gupta both ended the day with scores of 4-under 69, sharing fourth place.

Close behind them were last week's champion Udayan Mane, Indo-American Manav Shah, and Syed Saqib Ahmed, all tied for sixth with scores of 3-under 70.

A Competitive Field

A group of seven players, including Saarthak Chhibber, Sunhit Bishnoi, and rookie pros Danish Verma and Kanav Chauhan, were tied for ninth place, each scoring 2-under 71.

Pannu's Late Eagle Seals the Round

Pannu, known for his long drives, began his round from the tenth hole but faced an early bogey on the 11th. He quickly recovered, parring the next three holes before going on a birdie streak from the 15th to the 18th. After a series of pars on the front nine, he added another birdie and capped off his round with a spectacular eagle.

Mannat Brar's Flawless Round

Mannat Brar, who made history as the first Indian to reach the semi-finals of the British Girls Amateur Championship in October 2024, turned professional earlier this year. After a couple of average performances in previous events, she excelled in Congo, starting strong with birdies on the second, fourth, sixth, and seventh holes, finishing with a total of 6-under 67.

Notable Performances from Other Players

Sukhman Singh impressed with two eagles on the sixth and ninth holes, finishing with a score of 5-under 68. Harendra Gupta, who previously secured a Top-10 finish in Chandigarh, also had a solid round with four birdies and an eagle on the 18th, finishing with a score of 69.

Aman Raj, who had a strong start in earlier events, bounced back from an early bogey to finish with five birdies.

Team Competition Update

In the team standings, Atri Mumbai, featuring Pannu and Aman Raj, took the lead with a combined score of 10-under, two strokes ahead of Leander Paes' Flying Man Kolkata team, which included Sukhman Singh and Syed Saqib Ahmed. Green Fuels Vizag, powered by Manav Shah and Danish Verma, followed in third place at 5-under.