By Rahul Banerji
Five-time winner Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow produced a course-record equalling 9-under-63 on day one of the Gujarat Open as the Tata Steel PGTI Tour finally trundled into action in Year 2021.
Chouhan, looking lean and fit, produced a flawless round for a three-shot lead at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old equalled Khalin Joshi’s previous course record set in 2015.
Twenty-three-year-old rookie Jairaj Singh Sandhu of Chandigarh made a dream debut at the Rs 30 lakh Gujarat Tourism-presented event.
Sandhu turned in an outstanding 66 that featured a record-equalling three eagles in a round that included a hole-in-one.
The left-hander shared second place with Karnal’s Mani Ram.
Jairaj, playing the first ever round of his professional career, matched the PGTI record of three eagles in a day of two-time Indian Open champion Ali Sher, Veer Ahlawat and Yashas Chandra M.S..
Early leader Khalin Joshi of Bangalore was fourth with a 67.
Mr Consistent
Chouhan struck his driver and irons to perfection, leaving left himself putts from within seven feet on eight of his nine birdies.
His longest birdie of the day was a 10-footer on the 13th.
Chouhan, who has two top-10s to his name at Kalhaar Blues & Greens, also made excellent par saves on the 14th and 15th holes to ensure a clean sheet.
The Mhow golfer, who has shed about 12 kgs thanks to a tough exercise regimen and diet, said, “I’m feeling much fitter and lighter on the course.
“I’ve been running a lot and controlling my diet. That’s made a big difference to my game.
“I also got into a comfort zone during the lockdown and wasn’t practicing much last year but now I’m back to doing eight hours of practice a day.
“My driving and iron play was the highlight today. It was nice to have five birdies from the ninth to the 13th.
“My two par saves also felt like birdies. In fact, I chipped-in from 40 yards on the 15th.
“I’ve always played well at this course as I feel it suits my game. The foundation is laid, it’s now about building from here and being consistent.”
Sandhu opened his pro career with a chip-in for birdie on his very first hole.
Just when he thought that it couldn’t get better, Sandhu aced the next hole.
A bogey followed on the 13th but the 6-foot-2 inch tall Sandhu negated it with his second eagle on the par-5 14th where he holed a 12-footer.
Sandhu added two more birdies on the 15th and 16th before finding the water from an awkward lie on the 18th for a double-bogey.
Bouncing back
Jairaj hit back quickly on the par-5 fifth from four feet for his third eagle of the day. He birdied the next hole and closed the round with a bogey on the ninth.
Sandhu said, “I was a touch nervous to begin with but I got rid of the nerves with my birdie on the first hole itself.
“It just kept getting better after that. For anyone starting off as a pro it’s important to feel that you belong here.
“After the round I did feel like I belong on this stage. I’ll again look to enjoy myself over the next three days.
“I decided to turn professional this year as my scoring average had become quite good last year. I also worked a lot on my game and felt that I was ready for the pro ranks.
“This round is a huge confidence-booster for me.”
Mani Ram attributed his score of 66 to improved putting to which featured a 15-foot eagle conversion on the 14th, seven birdies and three bogeys.
Kolkata’s Rahil Gangjee and Delhi-based Arjun Prasad were joint fifth on 68.
Local lad Shravan Desai shot a 69 for T7 along with Chikkarangappa S., Rashid Khan, Viraj Madappa, Karandeep Kochhar, Tapy Ghai and Pune-based amateur Rohan Dhole Patil.
Three-time Indian Open winner S.S.P. Chawrasia was 14th with a 2-under 70.
Also read: Gaganjeet Bhullar brings it home in Tour C’ship finale
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