Daijiworld Media Network - Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi, Apr 21: Young Indian golfer Tushar Pannu continued his rapid rise with an impressive 6-under 67 in the opening round of the IGPL Invitational Congo, held at the Golf Club de Lubumbashi.
The 21-year-old, who turned professional only last year, delivered a composed round featuring five birdies, an eagle, and a lone bogey. He shares the top spot with 19-year-old Mannat Brar, who matched his score with a flawless, bogey-free performance.
This event marks the fourth leg of the AM Green IGPL Tour 2026 and forms part of its African Swing, following earlier stops in Chandigarh, Mauritius, and Johannesburg. The Lubumbashi course, known for its eco-friendly design, is hosting the tour for the first time.
Close behind the leaders is rookie Sukhman Singh, who carded a 5-under 68 to take sole third place. His round was highlighted by two eagles within four holes, underlining his potential on the professional stage.
A group tied for fourth at 4-under 69 includes experienced campaigners Aman Raj and Harendra Gupta. Just a shot further back, last week’s winner Udayan Mane, along with Manav Shah and Syed Saqib Ahmed, are tied for sixth after rounds of 3-under 70.
A cluster of players, including Saarthak Chhibber and Sunhit Bishnoi, are positioned at tied ninth with scores of 2-under 71.
Pannu’s round began on the back nine, where he recovered from an early bogey with a strong birdie run before closing with a spectacular eagle. Meanwhile, Brar showcased consistency throughout, picking up six birdies across her round to stay error-free.
Brar, who turned professional earlier this year after notable amateur success—including a deep run at the British Girls Amateur Championship—now eyes a milestone. She is attempting to become only the second Indian woman to win a mixed-gender professional event, following Pranavi Urs’s achievement last year.
In the team standings, Atri Mumbai leads at 10-under, powered by Pannu and Aman Raj. They hold a narrow advantage over Flying Man Kolkata, a team associated with Leander Paes, whose side is placed second. Green Fuels Vizag currently sits third at 5-under after the opening day.