Aryan Roopa Anand fired a six-under 66 to take the outright lead after the opening round of the IGPL Invitational 2026 at Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi.
The 22-year-old’s performance, combined with team captain Shiv Kapur’s four-under 68, also lifted the RVR Delhi Blue Bulls to the top of the team standings at 10-under on their home course.
Sawai Hamendra Singh Bhati and Sachin Baisoya were Anand’s closest challengers after matching five-under 67s. Bhati made six birdies against one bogey, while Baisoya also recorded six birdies before dropping his only shot late in the round.
Eight players shared fourth place at four-under, including Kapur, Kashika Mishra, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Varun Parikh, Arjun Prasad, M Dharma, Rohit Baisoya and Shaurya Binu.
Vimtra Chennai Lions, led by Bhullar, and Green Fuels Vizag Dolphins, anchored by Dharma, shared second place in the team competition at seven-under.
Anand began steadily before making consecutive birdies on the third and fourth. His only bogey came at the par-three sixth, but he responded with a birdie at the eighth to turn in two-under.
The Mysuru golfer accelerated on the back nine, collecting further birdies on the 11th, 15th, 16th and 18th to move clear of the field.
“My short game was pretty good today,” Anand said. “I converted a lot of birdies from close range, and when I went off line on a few holes, it helped me save shots.”
Anand, the youngest member of the Delhi Blue Bulls, turned professional in 2023 following a successful amateur career that included consecutive All India Amateur titles. He claimed his maiden professional victory earlier this season at the AM Green IGPL Invitational in Congo, defeating former Olympian Udayan Mane in a playoff.
He also credited the experienced players in the Delhi squad for helping his development.
“I couldn’t have asked to play for a better team,” Anand said. “Our camaraderie is unmatched. I’m considerably younger than the others, and I look up to them as mentors. They have helped me grow as a golfer over the last three or four months.”
Manav Shah opened with a three-under 69 to share 12th place, while Karandeep Kochhar was tied 21st after a 71. Ras Al Khaimah winner Varun Chopra began with an even-par 72 and was tied 26th.
Photo – IGPL
