Kapil Kumar ends long wait with IGPL Pune win

Pune’s Kapil Kumar captured his maiden professional title at the IGPL Invitational, edging teenage sensation Kartik Singh on the second play-off hole at Poona Golf Club. Both finished tied at 12-under before Kapil sealed victory with a superb lob wedge to two feet for birdie. The long-awaited breakthrough earned him ₹22.5 lakh, the biggest cheque of his career, while Kartik picked up ₹15 lakh for second place.

Kartik, 15, continued to show why he’s one of India’s brightest prospects, finishing runner-up after top-10s in Chandigarh and Jaypee Greens. The youngster forced a play-off with a clutch birdie on the 18th, but his miss in the decider left him still waiting for a first win.

The day’s best round came from Hitaashee Bakshi, who carded a sparkling 63 to finish as the top woman in the field at tied-seventh alongside Yashas Chandra (68).

Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya briefly joined the lead with a sizzling front-nine 30 before ending third at 11-under, one shot shy of the play-off. Saarthak Chhibber (66) finished a career-best fourth at 10-under, IL Aalaap (65) was fifth at 9-under, and Aman Raj (67) claimed sixth at 8-under.

Kapil, who had finished runner-up in Pune before, said the breakthrough was worth the wait: “I’ve finished second so many times that it stopped bothering me. Today I stayed calm, trusted my game, and it finally came together. Hopefully this is just the beginning.”

For Kartik, the takeaway was positive despite disappointment: “I’m happy with how I’m playing. The wins will come—I just need to keep working.”

The IGPL continues to provide a unique platform where India’s top pros, rising juniors, women professionals, and amateurs share the stage in high-pressure events.

Photo – IGPL