IGPL Bharath Classic: Gaganjeet Bhullar leads Indian challenge in Morocco
Heading a robust Indian contingent alongside Pukhraj Gill, veteran star Gaganjeet Bhullar chases milestone Asian Tour victory as co-sanctioned USD 500,000 Bharath Classic tees off in Morocco
El Jadida: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, the winner of the most Asian Tour titles among all active players, former Order of Merit winner Jazz Janewattananond, and an in-form Ian Snyman will spearhead a star-studded field at the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic.
More than 40 players from the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Tour have gained entry into the lucrative event. The Bharath Classic, which serves as the flagship event on the IGPL Tour, has shifted to Morocco this season following a highly successful inaugural edition at the Kensville Golf Resort in India last year.
The Asian Tour’s evolving partnership with the IGPL is a vital component of this international swing, with both this week’s and last week’s tournaments being co-sanctioned.
The tournament has quickly established itself as a significant feature on both the Indian and Asian golfing calendars, offering regional players a direct pathway to the upper echelons of the sport.
A victory this week guarantees the winner a full card on the Asian Tour, while high finishes open the doors to the elite International Series.
Crucially, the next International Series stop is scheduled to take place right here in Morocco next week.
“Getting to an event like this is exactly what the IGPL has provided for us, plus there are immense opportunities on the International Series,” said Pukhraj Singh Gill, winner of the AM Green IGPL Order of Merit 2025. Gill has already made his debut in the International Series and will tee up again next week at the USD 2 million event alongside a galaxy of Major champions.
Bhullar, who sits third on the all-time list of Asian Tour winners, is eyeing a historic victory this week.
While his last official Asian Tour triumph came 30 months ago in November 2023, the experienced Indian has remained in winning form, clinching four titles on the domestic IGPL circuit since then—most recently in March at Chandigarh, which has now become his home base.
Apart from Bhullar, the Indian challenge will be led by Pukhraj Gill, Karandeep Kochhar, Udayan Mane, and the promising young Kartik Singh, who finished tied-12th on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last week. Shaurya Bhattacharya, Aman Raj, Sachin Baisoya, and Aryan Roopa Anand round off a formidable contingent.
Standing in their way is South Africa’s Ian Snyman, currently third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Snyman secured his maiden Asian Tour title at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open last month and has built a remarkable run of form, placing tied-10th at the Korea Open, tied-3rd at the Maekyung Open, and tied-5th at the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship.
Other heavyweight contenders include Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, currently fourth on the Order of Merit following a runner-up finish in the Philippines and a tied-2nd showing at the International Series Japan. Sweden’s Charlie Lindh also enters the fray in red-hot form, coming off a solo second-place finish at the Korea Open and a tied-6th result at the New Zealand Open.
American Austen Truslow adds further depth to the field. Truslow is enjoying a highly consistent season, marked by a tied-4th finish at International Series Japan, a tied-9th result in the Philippines, and a victory at the New Zealand PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia earlier this year.
Thailand’s 2019 Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond, a nine-time Asian Tour winner, will also fancy his chances on a terrain he loves; his last tour victory occurred in this very country at the 2022 International Series Morocco. Additionally, last week’s ADT winner Tanapat Pichaikool will look to carry his blistering momentum into El Jadida.
Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai, who won the inaugural crown in Gujarat last year, is also in the field to mount a rigorous title defense.
The 144-player tournament will enforce a cut after 36 holes, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend rounds. The spectacular Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, set along Morocco’s scenic Atlantic coast, features an iconic 18-hole links-style course designed by South African golfing legend and nine-time Major champion Gary Player.