Tushar Pannu Shines at IGPL Debut in Congo with Impressive 6-Under Round
Tushar Pannu's Stellar Performance
In Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tushar Pannu, a professional golfer with less than a year of experience, showcased his skills by scoring a remarkable 6-under 67 at the Par-73 Golf Club. This event marked the inaugural appearance of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) in Congo.
At just 21 years old, Pannu, who turned professional last year after successfully navigating the Qualifying School, achieved five birdies, one eagle, and a single bogey during 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 is the fourth event in the AM Green IGPL Tour 2026 and represents the third leg of the African Swing. Following the opening event in Chandigarh, the tour moved to Mauritius and Johannesburg, South Africa. This week’s competition is being held at the eco-friendly Par-73 Golf Club de Lubumbashi.
As Pannu and Brar led the pack, rookie pro Sukhman Singh also made a statement, finishing with a score of 5-under 68, placing him in third. Multiple AM Green IGPL winner Aman Raj and Harendra Gupta shared fourth place, both scoring 4-under 69.
Strong Contenders in the Field
Close behind were last week’s champion Udayan Mane, along with Indo-American Manav Shah and Syed Saqib Ahmed, all tied for sixth with scores of 3-under 70. A group of seven players, including Saarthak Chhibber, Sunhit Bishnoi, and rookie pros Danish Verma and Kanav Chauhan, were tied for ninth, each finishing at 2-under 71.
Pannu, known for his long drives, began his round from the tenth hole, encountering an early bogey on the 11th. However, he quickly recovered, parring the next three holes before going on a birdie streak from the 15th to the 18th. He maintained his momentum with pars on the front nine, adding another birdie and finishing with a spectacular eagle for a total of 67.
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. With extensive international experience representing the National team, she has participated in three pro events on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour, finishing in the Top-10 twice.
After modest outings in Mauritius and Johannesburg, Mannat excelled in Congo, starting her round with birdies on the second, fourth, sixth, and seventh holes, turning in at 4-under. She added two more birdies on the 15th and 17th, concluding her day with a par for a total of 6-under 67, sharing the lead.
Sukhman Singh's Impressive Start
Sukhman Singh also made an impression with two eagles within four holes, gaining shots on the Par-5 sixth and ninth. His overall performance included two eagles, three birdies, and two bogeys, placing him just one shot behind the leaders.
Harendra Gupta, who previously finished in the Top-10 during the season opener in Chandigarh, eagled the 18th hole and recorded four birdies and two bogeys for a round of 69. Aman Raj, a Top-5 finisher in Chandigarh and Mauritius, rebounded from a dip in Johannesburg, overcoming an early bogey with five birdies.
Atri Mumbai Leads Team Competition
In the team standings, Atri Mumbai, following a strong performance last week, took the lead on the first day with a combined score of 10-under, thanks to Pannu (67) and Aman Raj (69). They are two strokes ahead of Leander Paes’ team, Flying Man Kolkata, whose standout players were Sukhman Singh (68) and Syed Saqib Ahmed (70).
Green Fuels Vizag, featuring Manav Shah (70) and young Danish Verma (71), secured third place at 5-under.