Coimbatore, 14-08-2024

Three-way lead for Ranjit Singh, Shaurya Bhattacharya & Yashas Chandra on opening day of KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open 2024 Powered By Prima Donna

Ranjit Singh of Chandigarh, Delhi-based rookie Shaurya Bhattacharya and Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra struck scores of six-under 66 to be part of the three-way lead on the opening day of the INR 1 crore KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open 2024 Powered By Prima Donna being played at the Coimbatore Golf Club.

Rookies Michele Ortolani of Italy and Hyderabad’s Milind Soni were one shot behind the leaders in tied fourth.

The seasoned Ranjit Singh, a 10th tee starter, had an early breakthrough with his chip-in from the bunker for birdie on the 12th. Thereafter, he built on the momentum, landing it within five feet to collect three more birdies and converting from 10 feet and 25 feet for birdies on the fourth and ninth respectively.

Ranjit said, “It’s my lowest round in over two years and a bogey-free effort, so I’m thrilled with this start. I recently changed my irons so that helped me a great deal today because I felt quite comfortable with the new irons. I was also motivated to play well as my playing partner Shamim Khan too had a good round.”

After his early bogey on the second hole, Shaurya Bhattacharya’s excellent ball-striking ensured he came back strongly with four birdies on the front-nine. Shaurya again negated his bogey on the 11th with a brilliant eagle conversion from 25 feet on the 13th and two more birdies from a range of 10 to 17 feet on the back-nine.

Shaurya, playing in Coimbatore for the first time, said, “The rough is quite thick here so I earned the reward for keeping the ball in play throughout and hitting 17 greens in regulation. The putter also clicked so I could convert those birdie opportunities. I worked on my swing and my fitness during the mid-season break and I feel all that hard work is now paying off.”

Yashas Chandra produced some great approach shots and a terrific tee shot on the par-3 fourth during his flawless first round.

Yashas said, “A bout of fever affected my performance last week at my home course. But I’ve fully recovered now and am feeling good about my game once again after having played well in the first half of the season. After the brief spell of rain today, we were back to the typical Coimbatore Golf Club conditions with the wind picking up so that’s the reason I’m very happy about today’s effort.”

Coimbatore-based amateur J Vignessh carded a 77 to be tied 102nd while local professional Sidhartha Sharathram was a further shot behind in tied 107th place.