Noida, 17-04-2018
Naman Dawar shoots course record and career-best eight-under-64 for the opening round lead at Paramount GolfForeste Delhi – NCR Open Golf Championship 2018
Karandeep Kochhar in second position at 65
Delhi’s Naman Dawar made the biggest splash in round one of the inaugural Paramount GolfForeste Delhi – NCR Open Golf Championship 2018 courtesy his course record score of eight-under-64 at the Noida Golf Course. Dawar’s error-free 64 which also accounted for his career-best effort gave him a one-shot lead on day one.
Karandeep Kochhar of Chandigarh occupied second place after returning a 65 on Tuesday.
Naman Dawar, inspired by his performance in Pune last week, where he compiled a total of six-under at the halfway stage, was once again off to a terrific start at this week’s event in Noida.
The 38-year-old from the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), who is yet to win his maiden title, struck a sizzling 64 on Tuesday, a round that featured six birdies and an eagle.
Dawar, currently 45th on the PGTI Order of Merit, produced two chip-ins, one for birdie on the third and the other for eagle on the 17th. He also rolled in a 40-feet par putt on the 11th that helped him raise the intensity in the middle stages of his round.
The big-built Naman, who has two runner-up finishes to his credit, said, “I’m super excited and super happy about today’s round. It’s great to shoot my career-best and also set the course record. I hit it like a dream and wherever I didn’t hit it well my putting came to my rescue.
“The first two rounds in Pune last week were real confidence-boosters even though I didn’t end that tournament as well as I would’ve wanted to.
“Both my chip-ins today came from difficult spots. I made an excellent par putt from about 40 feet on the 11th which kind of propelled my round to a different level. The eagle was special as it came right at the end pushed me up to eight-under.”
Dawar, who suffered a career-threatening wrist injury in 2010, further added, “I couldn’t play golf for a year and a half after my injury. That’s when I realized how much I missed playing the game. I just wanted to somehow get the opportunity to play it again. That’s the reason I feel I’m more patient today.
“I’ve gone through a slump for the last few years but now I feel there is some kind of a spark in my game and this could be the season when I could turn things around.”
Eighteen-year-old Karandeep Kochhar, who has three top-20s so far this year, continued his consistent showing in the season with a 65 in round one at Noida that included a 40-feet eagle conversion on the eighth, eight birdies and three bogeys.
Kochhar said, “It’s just been a solid season for me so far. I’ve been striking it really well. I feel I’m back in the groove after a rather disappointing 2017. I’m looking to improve on my chipping and short putts in order to further raise my game.”
There was a five-way tie for third place at 68 between Shankar Das, Om Prakash Chouhan, Amardeep Rawat, Mari Muthu and Veer Ahlawat.
Amateur Simarjeet Singh was the highest-placed among the Noida-based golfers. Simarjeet fired a two-under-70 to be tied 15th.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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