Bhullar fades on final day as Pukhraj Gill rises to share honours among Indians in Singapore
India’s challenge at the International Series Singapore concluded with Gaganjeet Bhullar and Pukhraj Singh Gill finishing tied 26th, as both players emerged as the best-placed Indians in a week that promised more but ultimately delivered mixed returns at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour winner and four-time AM Green IGPL champion, had positioned himself as a contender earlier in the tournament. However, a difficult final round saw him slip down the leaderboard, closing with a two-over 73 to fall out of contention.
The final round encapsulated Bhullar’s week flashes of quality interspersed with costly lapses. He began positively with a birdie on the second hole, suggesting a potential late push up the leaderboard. But the momentum quickly dissipated as he dropped four shots over the next seven holes, undoing his early progress. The back nine offered brief signs of recovery. Bhullar picked up birdies on the 10th, 17th and 18th, attempting to salvage his round. However, a double bogey on the 15th proved decisive, halting any hopes of a strong finish.
Having been within touching distance of the leaders heading into the weekend, the final-day inconsistencies pushed him down to tied 26th, a result that does not fully reflect the quality of golf he displayed across the first three rounds.
If Bhullar’s final round was about missed opportunities, Pukhraj Singh Gill’s was about capitalising on them. The young Indian golfer produced the best round among his compatriots on Sunday, carding a four-under 67 to climb into a share of 26th place. Gill’s round was built on control and efficiency. He recorded five birdies against just one bogey, maintaining a steady rhythm throughout the day. Unlike many others who struggled with the demanding conditions, Gill managed his approach play effectively and converted key opportunities on the greens.
His performance not only brought him level with Bhullar in the standings but also highlighted his growing consistency on the international circuit. For a player still establishing himself, finishing as the top Indian on the final day represents a significant step forward.
Limited Indian presence beyond top two
Karandeep Kochhar, the only other Indian to make the cut, endured a challenging final round, carding a 76 to finish in 70th place. The rest of the Indian contingent had missed the cut earlier in the week, underlining the difficulty of competing consistently at this level.
While the presence of multiple Indian players in the field reflects increasing participation, the results point to the need for greater consistency across four rounds — a hallmark of success on the Asian Tour. At the top of the leaderboard, South Korea’s Jeongwoo Ham delivered a composed performance to secure his maiden Asian Tour title with a wire-to-wire victory. Ham closed with a three-under 68 to finish at 16-under for the tournament, holding off a strong challenge from Australia’s Cameron John.
John, who carded a 66 on the final day, pushed Ham throughout the round but ultimately fell short by two shots. Spain’s Josele Ballester, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka finished tied for third, seven shots behind the winner.
Ham’s victory marked a significant milestone in his career, coming in just his 24th Asian Tour appearance since turning professional. It also made him only the second Korean to win the event, following Younghan Song’s triumph in 2016. The final day was not without external challenges. After three days of intense heat and humidity, play was interrupted for over three and a half hours due to lightning, forcing players to reset both physically and mentally.
Such disruptions often test a golfer’s ability to maintain rhythm and focus, and the conditions appeared to influence scoring patterns across the field. For players like Bhullar, who were attempting to build momentum, the break came at an inopportune time. The tournament also carried additional significance as part of the Open Qualifying Series. With his victory, Ham secured a place at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale later this summer, alongside runner-up Cameron John.
This added layer of qualification heightened the stakes, particularly on the final day, where leaderboard movements had implications beyond the tournament itself. For the Indian contingent, the Singapore outing offers both positives and areas for reflection. Bhullar’s ability to position himself among the leaders reaffirms his experience and competitiveness, but the inability to close out strong weeks remains a concern.
Gill’s performance, meanwhile, stands out as a positive indicator of emerging talent capable of competing at this level. His final round showcased the kind of composure required to navigate challenging conditions and demanding courses. The Asian Tour now moves to the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in South Korea, one of the circuit’s marquee events. For Indian golfers, the focus will be on building consistency and converting promising positions into stronger finishes.
Singapore may not have delivered a breakthrough result, but it provided valuable insights both for established names and those looking to rise through the ranks.
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