New Delhi, 25-10-2018
Ajeetesh Sandhu, Tapy Ghai excel on day one of Panasonic Open India, lie tied second, one off the pace
Veer Ahlawat and Rashid Khan in tied fifth with scores of 68
The Indian duo of Ajeetesh Sandhu and Tapy Ghai excelled on day one of the Asian Tour's Panasonic Open India.
Sandhu, a winner on the Asian Tour and last year's joint runner-up and young Ghai, playing only his second season as a professional, shot scores of five-under-67 at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) on Thursday to be placed tied second.
The lead was held by Thailand's Suradit Yongcharoenchai at six-under-66.
While Bangladesh's Md Siddikur Rahman (67) also took a share of second, the other Indians who enjoyed a strong start at the US$400,000 event were Veer Ahlawat and Rashid Khan in tied fifth with scores of 68 and Jeev Milkha Singh, Kapil Kumar and Karandeep Kochhar in tied ninth with scores of 69.
Ajeetesh Sandhu, a winner on the Asian Tour last year, was quick off the blocks collecting three birdies on the front nine at the cost of one bogey. The man with two top-10s in Asia this year then stepped on the gas on the back nine as he gathered four more birdies in exchange for a single bogey.
Interestingly, the 30-year-old's day one performance was reminiscent of his first round show last year when he had taken the lead with an eight-under-64.
Chandigarh lad Ajeetesh said, “The score is pretty good. I played alright, not my best. It's something that might just happen on this course. I think I played pretty well. That three birdies in a row kind of gave me some momentum heading into the remainder of the round.
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“I hit two good shots on the 13th and made a 10-footer for birdie there. The 14th hole was the toughest hole that I birdied today. I hit a great chip for eagle on the 18th but it somehow lipped out. But I'll take it. I'm happy with the birdie on the last.
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“It was pretty warm out there. There was no wind so it was pretty easy. The greens are a bit slow so you got to be aggressive with your shots. If you miss on the wrong side of the greens, you miss another chance.
“I am sure the conditions will be different tomorrow morning. It plays completely differently when the sun comes out. The course plays shorter and it's definitely easier. I'll just take it as it comes. I have played this course enough times.â€Â
Gurgaon-based Tapy Ghai, who bagged his maiden professional title on the PGTI earlier this month, carried his form to the DGC as he mixed seven birdies with two bogeys. The 22-year-old made a couple of birdie conversions from a range of 12 to 20 feet.
Ghai said, “When you score seven birdies it's always a good round. All the aspects of my game were in good shape today. I had clarity of mind and didn't have any doubts during my round so that helped.
“I've drawn a lot of confidence from my first professional win which was achieved on the PGTI earlier this month in Ahmedabad. That win has helped me break some mental barriers. I feel like a different player now.
“As a junior I've played a lot of golf at the DGC as it was my home course at the time before I moved to Gurgaon. I'm quite familiar with the DGC so that is another advantage I enjoy this week.
“I recovered well from the bushes to make my first birdie of the day on the 10th. The momentum just continued thereafter as I hit a terrific tee shot on the 12th that set up a seven-foot birdie putt. Then I also had a 20-feet birdie conversion on the 14th.
“Subsequently, I made two birdies and two bogeys till the fourth before coming back strong with consecutive birdies on the fifth and sixth. I'm delighted with this effort considering this is only my second Asian Tour event.â€Â
Md Siddikur Rahman produced a bogey-free 67 at his favourite course where has secured 12 top-10 finishes in the past.
Veer Ahlawat, another 22-year-old, made a mark on day one draining six birdies against a lone bogey. Ahlawat has been one of the most consistent performers on the PGTI since he turned pro back in 2016. In the last three seasons he has 13 top-10s to his credit.
Veer said, “It's been a good season for me so far as I've posted five top-10s on the PGTI in 2018. I'm 11th in the PGTI Order of Merit at the moment and I feel I'm carrying some good form into this week.
“My game was pretty solid today as I struck it well and therefore hit 16 regulations. I also holed a couple of 15 feet birdie putts.
“I started really well with birdies on the first two holes and four birdies on the first seven holes but a poor tee shot on the 18th was a dampener as it resulted in a double bogey. Importantly, I didn't let that double bogey affect my rhythm on the front nine where I picked up two more birdies.
“The highlight of my round though was the chip-in from the fringe for a par save on the seventh.
“My game is at a good point as of now as I'm striking and putting well. But I don't want to think too ahead and want to take it one round at a time. My focus was good today as I managed to pull myself up even after the double bogey on the 18th.
“My goals in the near future include getting my first win on the PGTI and also trying to qualify for the Asian Tour through the Qualifying School.â€Â
Defending champion Shiv Kapur carded a 70 to be tied 16th.
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. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
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