Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma on his way to a one-shot lead on the opening day of the SECL Chhattisgarh Open in New Raipur on Tuesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Akshay Sharma equalled the course record for the first-round lead at the Rs 1.5 crore SECL Chhattisgarh Open, the DP World PGTI’s season-opener in New Raipur on Tuesday.
Sharma matched Khalin Joshi’s score of 9 under par 60 at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort set last year though preferred lies are in play this year, and narrowly missed a hole-in-one twice, the DP World PGTI said.
The two-time DP World PGTI winner had a bogey-free card that included five birdies on the front nine and four on the way back including two 15-foot birdie putts.
“It was a dream round being one of those days when every aspect of my game was top-notch – driving, iron-play and putting,” Chandigarh’s Sharma said.
“I missed only three greens in regulation and missed out on holes-in-one by one foot twice – on holes 2 and 17. I enjoyed some good form towards the end of last year with a couple of top-10 finishes.
“Feel I’m now building further on that form. I also had a good outing here last year with a top 10 finish. So, I’m quite familiar with this course.”
Fresh face
Sixteen-year-old Kartik Singh, fresh from a tied seventh place finish at the PGTI Qualifying School last week and making his DP World PGTI debut, made an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey to share second place on 8 under 61.
Seven players were tied for fourth place on 7 under 62 including 2025 Order of Merit frontrunner Arjun Prasad, and past OoM winner Om Prakash Chouhan.
Kartik, a former India no. 1 junior and amateur, said, “I’m feeling great about starting so well in my very first event on the PGTI.
“I came back well after a bogey on the first hole. My mindset every day is to shoot a good round and play as well as I can.
“Made a lot of long putts today and chipped-in once. It is definitely very competitive on the DP World PGTI and I feel I need to raise my game further to contend here.”
State finance minister O.P. Choudhary hit the ceremonial tee-off in the morning before meeting some of the professionals participating in the event.
Positive image
“Events such as the SECL Chhattisgarh Open go a long way in building a positive image for Chhattisgarh and changing the perception of the state,” Choudhary said.
“Our focus has been on developing the greenfield capital city and promoting sports in the state. We are expecting many new sporting facilities and academies to come up in Chhattisgarh.
“Developing sports in the state has many benefits as it creates employment, inspires young sportspersons, showcases the state as a hub of sporting activity and a major tourist destination.
“This in turn attracts investment which leads to economic growth and revenue generation. The economic growth in the state can then drive the welfare and social schemes for the masses.”
Also read: SECL Chhattisgarh Open to tee off new DP World PGTI season
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