Five share lead as IGPL Krishna Invitational Hyderabad 2026 opens with string of low scores
Five players share the lead at the IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026 in Hyderabad after a high-scoring opening round at the Hyderabad Golf Association course.
The AM Green IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026 Hyderabad, presented by Punjab Raptors, kicked off with a spectacular display of scoring at the Hyderabad Golf Association course on Thursday. A group of five golfers surged to the top of the leaderboard, each carding a 5-under 65 to set a blistering pace for the tournament.
The leaderboard is currently a crowded affair, with 16 players sitting within just two shots of the lead. This tight competition leaves the tournament wide open as players prepare for the remaining two days of action in this high-stakes event.
Five Leaders Share the Top Spot
The opening round saw a diverse mix of seasoned champions and rising talents sharing the limelight. The players currently tied at 5-under include:
- Gaganjeet Bhullar: The four-time AM Green IGPL winner looking to add another title to his collection.
- Aryan Roopa Anand: The in-form player who delivered one of the most aggressive rounds of the day.
- C Muniyappa: The former Indian Open champion utilizing his vast experience.
- Rohit Baisoya: A consistent performer in the opening round.
- Joshua Grenville-Wood: The UAE golfer making a stunning IGPL debut.
Aryan Roopa Anand's Eagle-Filled Charge
Aryan Roopa Anand provided the most dramatic highlights of the day. Playing for the RVR Delhi Blue Bulls, Anand took advantage of the generous fairways to play fearless golf. He stunned the field by recording two eagles on par-4 holes—the second and the fifth—within his first five holes.
Despite a setback with a dropped shot on the 15th hole, Anand showed immense mental strength by bouncing back with consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th to secure his 65.
"I like to be aggressive at the flags and take the aggressive option, so I’ll continue doing that and play some fearless golf," Anand remarked, noting his familiarity with the course from his junior amateur days.
Muniyappa and Bhullar Lead the Team Charge
In the team competition, the Krishna Punjab Raptors and the Vimtra Chennai Lions GC are currently deadlocked at 9-under.
For the Punjab Raptors, C Muniyappa spearheaded the effort with his 5-under round, supported by Harendra Gupta at 4-under and Karandeep Kochhar at 3-under. Muniyappa, who has embraced a more natural swing approach, managed to turn a solid round into a lead-sharing one thanks to a crucial eagle on the 15th hole.
The Chennai Lions GC showed great depth, with all four players finishing under par. Gaganjeet Bhullar led the charge for Chennai at 5-under, followed closely by Samarth Dwivedi and Yashas Chandra at 4-under, and Harshjeet Sethi at 3-under.
Grenville-Wood's Near Miss
The debutant Joshua Grenville-Wood nearly claimed the outright lead. The UAE player played brilliantly on the front nine, picking up two birdies and an eagle, and continued his momentum with two more birdies on the back nine. He briefly sat at 6-under before a bogey on the final hole brought him back to level with the leaders.