By Rahul Banerji
Pune golfer Rohan Dhole Patil led with a 7-under par 65 on day one of the Rs 80 lakh IndianOil Servo Masters at Assam’s Digboi Golf Links on Wednesday.
Sachin Baisoya of Delhi, winner of the last PGTI event – the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational in Chandigarh earlier this month – and Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma carded 66s to share second place.
Tata Steel PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan struck a 67 to be tied for fourth along with Mohd Azhar, Bangladesh’s Md Akbar Hossain, and Sri Lankan K. Prabagaran.
Deven Bhumij was the best placed among the local professionals after he carded a 69 for a share of 12th place, the PGTI said
Dhole Patil’s opening round raised hopes of a turnaround as he has been struggling to find form this season having made five cuts out of 14 starts and registering just one top-10.
The 27-year-old, who turned pro in 2022, had a fruitful front nine with three birdies including a recovery from the hazard and an eagle on hole nine off a chip-in.
Making gains
On the back nine, Rohan offset two bogeys with four birdies that included some good chip-putts.
Rohan said, “My form has not been good this season but I’ll look to capitalise on this solid start.
“My short game was sharp, especially from the ninth hole onwards where I chipped in. The key over the next three days will be to sink as many putts as possible.”
The tournament was inaugurated by Debajit Gogoi, ED and Refinery Head, Digboi Refinery, with a ceremonial tee-off and planting of a sapling at the picturesque Digboi course.
Also read: Focused Sachin Baisoya emerges champion at Jeev Invitational
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