Panchkula’s Brijesh Kumar, a NexGen series winner last year at Kapurthala, was on target with his approach play at the Indorama Ventures Open in Ahmedabad on Friday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Brijesh Kumar and Jhared Hack emerged joint leaders on day two of the DP World PGTI’s $300,000 Indorama Ventures Open golf championship at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Panchkula’s Brijesh (3 under par 69) and and Hack (70) were tied for the lead on 7 under 137, one stroke up the road from Dhruv Sheoran (69-69) after 36 holes, the DP World PGTI said.
While Brijesh mixed five birdies with two bogeys to rise two spots from his overnight tie for third, US golfer Hack made four birdies and two bogeys to improve on his overnight second place.
Saptak Talwar, Frenchmen Clement Sordet and Pierre Pineau and Austria’s Christoph Bleier shared fourth place on 5 under 139 while round one leader Rashid Khan (74) slipped to tied eighth at 4 under 140.
The cut fell at 4 over 148 with 62 professionals making the money rounds.
A NexGen series winner in 2025, Brijesh landed his approach shots to within five feet of the pin through the day. The highlight of his round was a 20-foot birdie conversion on hole 18.
Precise play
“I hit my tee shots with great precision today and made most fairways. I was also sharp with my game around the greens,” Brijesh said later.
“Winning on the NexGen last season gave me a lot of confidence and now the goal is to win on the DP World PGTI. It will be important for me to continue in the same rhythm and look to finish well.”
Las Vegas resident Jhared Hack played steady golf on the Kalhaar Blues and Greens course to share the day two lead on 7 under 137 alongside Brijesh Kumar. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
Hack, winner of the season’s opening event, made a couple of conversions from between 15 and 30 feet, and scored birdies on two out of the four Par-5s.
“I putted well in round one and drove well today,” the 36-year-old from Las Vegas said later.
“The weather here in Ahmedabad is a lot like Las Vegas and Florida where I have played a lot of golf so I’m accustomed to these conditions.
“It’s a great golf course, one of the best I’ve played in India so far. I’m pleased about putting myself in a good position and look forward to contending this week.”
Also read: Panchkula’s Brijesh Kumar wins NexGen Kapurthala with late run
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