Bhullar, Neha Tripathi, Amandeep Drall and Kartik Singh set to rock in inaugural IGPL invitational golf

Indian Golf Premier League Kicks Off with a Bang at Chandigarh Golf Club

Get ready for some thrilling action on the greens! The inaugural IGPL Invitational is all set to tee off at the iconic Chandigarh Golf Club on Wednesday, marking the start of a fresh chapter in Indian golf. This exciting event brings together a dynamic mix of young talents and seasoned pros, including both men and women golfers and top amateurs. It’s a game-changer for Indian golf, blending competition with fun and inclusivity.

The IGPL Tour promises a packed season running until December, featuring 11 high-stakes events. Each tournament offers a massive prize purse of Rs 1.5 crore, giving players plenty of incentives to shine. Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, this league aims to boost Indian golf by creating opportunities for everyone.

Uttam Singh Mundy, the CEO of IGPL and a former successful pro golfer, couldn’t hide his excitement at the press conference. "Thanks for joining us for the launch of the IGPL Tour’s first event," he said with a smile. "It’s special to be back at my home club, Chandigarh Golf Club—they’ve been amazing supporters. IGPL is all about pushing boundaries: innovative formats, inclusivity, and progress. For the first time globally, men and women pros will compete together for the same prize money. This isn’t just golf; it’s a celebration packed with entertainment, lifestyle vibes, and real growth. We’re building academies, driving ranges, and grassroots programs to take Indian golf to the next level. Can’t wait to see you all cheering us on!"

Leading the pack is Gaganjeet Bhullar, India’s most decorated winner on the Asian Tour with 11 victories there, plus triumphs elsewhere. Bhullar, who’s no stranger to big stages, shared his thoughts: "A big thank you to everyone here supporting the IGPL. We’ve talked about this for ages, brainstorming ways to create buzz in Indian golf. Shoutout to the IGPL team for their hard work over the last 4-5 months to make it happen. Stepping into Chandigarh Golf Club feels like joining the European Tour or PGA Tour—it’s world-class. This is my home club; I’ve played here for years, and I’m pumped that the first event is right here. Despite the heavy rains the past few days, the course looks fantastic—kudos to the staff!"

In a heartwarming move, Bhullar announced that his foundation is donating $100,000 to the Khalsa Aid Foundation to aid flood victims in Punjab. "We’re here to give back," he added.

Local hero Aadil Bedi, who’s made his mark in India and abroad, was thrilled to compete at his home turf. "Chandigarh Golf Club has been my base for years," he said. "I’ve seen tons of tournaments, but the hype around IGPL is next level—it’s been brewing for a while, and starting here is the perfect touch. Best wishes to all the men and women players!" Bedi went further by pledging 100% of his winnings to the Punjab flood relief fund, showing the spirit of the sport.

Neha Tripathi, a multiple winner from the Women’s Golf Association of India (IGPL’s partner), was buzzing with energy. "Huge thanks to the co-founders for launching this league—the anticipation has been building," she said. "I’m so excited to see it kick off. Playing alongside guys and girls means big earnings and tons of learning opportunities. The camaraderie is great, and it helps us gear up for major competitions."

The star-studded field also features trailblazers like Gaurav Ghei, the first Indian to play The Open and a three-time Asian Tour winner. Other big names include former Indian Open champ C Muniyappa and Asian Tour victor Chiragh Kumar—all bringing their international flair to Indian golf.

Adding fresh excitement are two young guns turning pro this week: Kartik Singh, who’s already represented India in multiple events and played the International Series, and Veer Ganapathy, son of ex-pro Rahul Ganapathy (now a top coach in Bengaluru with a roster of successful juniors).

With 54 players in total battling for that Rs 1.5 crore purse, everyone gets a shot—no cuts mean all participants walk away with solid prizes based on their finishes. Women make up 10 spots, including standouts like Amandeep Drall (former runner-up at the Ladies European Tour’s Women’s Indian Open), Neha Tripathi, Seher Atwal, Jasmine Shekar, Vidhatri Urs, and Heena Kang, all with strong records on the domestic pro circuit.

One cool twist in the IGPL Tour? It spotlights talented amateurs. Reigning All India Amateur champion Mannat Brar leads the charge—she made history as the first Indian to reach the last 16 at the prestigious R&A Women’s Amateur and finished third at the R&A Girls Championship last year. Young sensations Harjai Milkha Singh (son of legend Jeev Milkha Singh) and Zorawar Randhawa (son of Jyoti Randhawa) will rub shoulders with the pros. The iconic Jeev Milkha Singh and Randhawa might even join later in the season.

In light of Punjab’s ongoing floods, the IGPL team, players, and brand ambassador Yuvraj Singh stepped up with relief efforts. They’re collecting funds from prize money, merchandise, and donations during the Chandigarh event. Plus, a truck full of essentials heads straight to affected areas, and a bike rally will raise more awareness and contributions. IGPL officials shared, "Our hearts go out to the flood victims in Punjab. We stand with the families in these tough times and are committed to helping."

This Chandigarh showdown is just the opener for the IGPL Tour, leading into December and culminating in India’s first-ever IGPL League. If you’re a golf fan, this is your cue to tune in—Indian golf is swinging into a brighter future!