Noida, 09-12-2014
Mukesh Kumar sets the pace in round one at PGTI Noida Masters
Mukesh Kumar of Mhow set the pace in round one of the PGTI Noida Masters, the seventh and final event of the 2014 Super Series, with a brilliant round of six-under-66. Nine golfers are tied for second place at two-under-70.
Mukesh Kumar, a 10th tee starter on Tuesday, was exceptional on the back-nine as he picked up an early birdie from 10 feet on the 11th and followed that up with three birdies and an eagle from the 14th to the 17th. The seasoned 49-year-old chipped-in for birdie on the 15th before sinking a 15-footer on the 16th to gain another stroke. Mukesh, currently placed seventh in the Rolex Rankings and 17th in the Super Series, made his second chip-in of the day, as he holed it from the bunker on the 17th to earn an eagle. He thus made the turn at six-under on a high-scoring day.
Mukesh’s front-nine was a mixed bag as he made three birdies and three bogeys. The Mhow-based professional landed it close for birdies on the third, sixth and eighth but also missed some short putts to drop bogeys on the second, fourth and ninth.
Mukesh said, “I’ve been in good form of late with top-10 finishes in the last three events. The game is improving with each passing week. I feel a win is not too far. The chip-in from the bunker for eagle on the 17th was the highlight of the round. It wasn’t easy to score today as the pin positions were tough. I now have a good platform to build on in the next three rounds.”
The nine golfers occupying joint second place at two-under-70 are Kolkata’s Shankar Das, Australian Kunal Bhasin, the Bangalore duo of Abhishek Jha and M Dharma, Noida’s Rahul Bajaj, Amardip Sinh Malik of Greater Noida, Sri Lankan N Thangaraja, Mhow-based Om Prakash Chouhan and Shamim Khan of Delhi.
Super Series leader Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore shares tied 11th place at one-under-71 along with Vikrant Chopra of Noida.
Delhi’s Rashid Khan, currently second in the Super Series points table, is tied 29th at two-over-74.
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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