Delhi’s Shaurya Bhattacharya on his way into the day one lead of the Vishwa Samudra Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at Greater Noida’s Jaypee Greens on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
Bhattacharya in the van at Vishwa Samudra Tour Championship
By Rahul Banerji
Shaurya Bhattacharya held a two-shot lead after the first round of the Vishwa Samudra presents Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship powered by Nalco at Jaypee Greens on Wednesday.
Bhattacharya, a three-time domestic tour winner, made seven birdies and dropped his only shot on the par-four eighth in his 6 under par 66 at the Greater Noida course, the DP World PGTI said.
The 23-year-old began the week ranked 14th in the Race to DP World India Championship.
He has come close twice this season with joint runner-up finishes at the DP World Players Championship powered by Urbana in February and Kolar Open presented by Zion Hills Golf County in August.
Two-time DP World Tour winner Shubhankar Sharma was second at 4 under 68. His round featured an eagle on the par-five 12th, three birdies and a bogey.
The Chandigarh golfer won the Boulders Classic in April, ending an eight-year wait for a professional title.
Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain, Gurgaon’s Dhruv Sheoran and Manoj S. of Bangalore were on 2 under 70s in shared third place.
Jamal made three birdies against a solitary bogey, while Sheoran mixed six birdies with four bogeys. Manoj registered five birdies and three bogeys.
Early pace
Shaurya settled quickly with birdies on his opening two holes before relying on accurate approach play and patient course management to maintain his momentum.
“I got off to a strong start with birdies on the first two holes, which helped me settle into the round,” Shaurya said.
“From there, I continued finding greens and stayed patient. The lone bogey was disappointing, but I holed some important putts.”
A long birdie putt on the final hole provided the finishing touch to his 66 and extended his advantage to two strokes.
“The putt on the last felt like a bonus,” he said. “I knew it would be a long day, so the key was to remain calm, keep my thoughts together and focus on one shot at a time.”
The tournament features a Pro-Am in all four rounds. The extended playing schedule also took part of the field into floodlit conditions.
“The format is quite interesting because we are playing alongside amateurs, and the number of groups makes it a long day,” Shaurya said.
Prior experience
“Playing under floodlights also requires some adjustment, but I competed in an event here in similar conditions a few weeks ago, so that experience helped me adapt quickly.
“The conditions were the same for everyone. I concentrated on hitting greens, creating opportunities and maintaining a steady rhythm throughout the round.”
Current Race to DP World India Championship leader Saptak Talwar opened with a 3 over 75 to share 36th place.
Wednesday’s Pro-Am was won by Bhattacharya and amateur Dr. Hamidi on a coutback with 44 Stableford points.
Also read: Vishwa Samudra Tour C’ship set for Jaypee Greens teeoff
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