Six Indians in Singapore are on the field as LIV Golf opens its doors wider

Gaganjeet Bhullar was in the top 10 on Thursday after a darkness-interrupted first day of the Moutai Singapore Open, while five other Indians were also in contention. Image courtesy of Asian Tour.

By Rahul Banerji

Six Indians are in the field for the Moutai Singapore Open that started at the Singapore Island Country Club on Thursday, with Gaganjeet Bhullar the top seed on an incomplete first day.

Korean Jeonghun topped the leaderboard at 8-under-par 64 after darkness ended play early with him tied for second place at 65 behind him.

Bhullar shared 10th place on a completed 5-under 67.

With LIV Golf both opening the qualifying doors to more hopefuls and switching to a 72-hole format for the 2026 seasons, the stakes are significantly higher for those in contention.

Last week, LIV said the top two on the International Series (IS) Order of Merit would go straight into the competition against one qualifier in the past.

Early next year there will also be LIV Golf Promotions in Florida, which will award cards to a further two players, making Singapore a crucial week for those in the running for the IS rankings.

Early advantage

The ten leading exempt players from the top 20 of the rankings will receive a bye into the second round of the event, which takes place from January 8 to 11 at the Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida.

The next 25 available players from the top 40 earn a place in the first round.

Bhullar is currently ranked 30th and therefore eligible for a spot in the first round while SSP Chawrasia, Shiv Kapur, Chikkarangappa S., Ajeetesh Sandhu and Viraj Madappa need a big weekend in Singapore.

Currently second behind Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent after his stunning win over IS Philippines last week, Miguel Tabuena admitted that an opportunity to play in the LIV Golf League was “nowhere near my radar” just over two weeks ago.

There are only two events left: in Singapore and the PIF Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the following week.

At the time of Tabuena’s victory in Manila, only the ranking winner qualified for the competition. However, earlier this week it was announced that the top two will continue next year.

Surprise benefit

During a press conference on Wednesday, Tabuena said: “Yes, before the Philippines it was definitely not on my radar. But after that week at home, it certainly is.

“It’s not something I have to force. It’s something where you have to stick to your game plan, stick with what works for you and just let everything happen on its own.”

England’s Paul Casey saw first-hand how the talent battled it out for those two spots in the International Series next season, when he played two rounds with Tabuena at the Link Hong Kong Open.

Casey said, “I’ve watched Miguel’s career. There are a lot of golfers where you don’t necessarily pay radical attention to guys and dissect their games. Of course, I pay attention to the results.”

“We were paired up last week, which is no surprise. What has he gotten himself into? Three birdies in his first three holes, or something like that? His golf game has matured and I don’t see any weakness.”

Tough matches

On the Rankings race for the two spots on LIV Golf and the spots on the LIV Golf Promotions event to compete for another two golden tickets, he said: “I find that a bit fascinating. I actually think it’s great that there are two spots.”

“I’m a big fan of that. You have a season to earn your place or promotion, whatever you call it, to LIV Golf and that is fully deserved.

“It’s an exciting part of the sport. I mean, for me, anytime you get to the crux of a season, it’s one of the most exciting sports you can see.”

Previously, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said: “LIV Golf continues to expand opportunities for players around the world to qualify for the first truly global golf competition.

“As fan interest in LIV Golf continues to grow and the opportunity to compete against some of the biggest names in golf grows, it is only natural that we broaden access for talented, ambitious players to earn their way into the league.”

Vincent (325.59 points) and Tabuena (221.19 points) are currently first and second.

Proven trajectory

“We offer a proven route to the LIV Golf League and because this season’s route offers not one but two opportunities to progress, there is a truly life-changing opportunity for our players to seize,” said Rahul Singh, Head of International Series.

“The International Series aims to provide opportunities for our players, whether it’s a path to LIV Golf or the majors, or the chance to compete with world-class players.

“We also offer talent at regional level the opportunity to compete against proven champions, and recent results – where players from the Asian Tour have triumphed – are clear evidence that standards are rising thanks to the International Series.”

Also read: LIV Golf announces switch to 72-hole format for the 2026 season

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