Young golf talent Veer Ganapathy, who is making waves in the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) and is already being hailed as a future star, opened up about his remarkable journey in the sport. From copying his father’s swings at just two years old to becoming one of the brightest faces in Indian junior golf, his story is one of passion, discipline, and perseverance.
Veer, son of former professional golfer and coach Rahul Ganapathy, first picked up the game as a toddler. “My dad was India’s No. 1 golfer then. I copied him as a mirror image, which made me a left-hander. At home, I would hit balls with plastic clubs, and by six, I was playing my first tournament,” he recalled.
The youngster’s steady progress saw him shine at the IGU Southern India Junior Boys Golf Championship before breaking through with a memorable victory at the All India Juniors in Pune in 2023, where he shot an impressive -13 over four days. “That gave me the belief I could compete professionally,” Veer said.
Now a rising star in the IGPL, Veer believes the league is transforming Indian golf. “IGPL is very important it gives new players chances to showcase skills, play alongside icons, and adapt to an aggressive format. It changed my mindset from being a safe player to taking risks and chasing birdies,” he explained.
With a rigorous fitness regime, homeschooling through NIOS, and a daily life revolving around golf, Veer says the sport means “everything” to him. Inspired by Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo, he also wishes to learn from Yuvraj Singh about mental toughness and overcoming struggles.
“Hard work and mindset matter the most,” Veer concluded, reflecting on his vision to rise further in Indian and global golf.