Ajeetesh Sandhu scorches Tolly course for first round lead

By Rahul Banerji

Ajeetesh Sandhu returned to the Tollygunge Club with a seven-under 63 to lead the field in round one of the Tata Steel PGTI Players Championship in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Viraj Madappa, Rahil Gangjee, defending champion Karandeep Kochhar, Khalin Joshi, Vikram Rana and Varun Parikh were tied for second on 64s.

Indian golfing great Jeev Milkha Singh, who last played at Tollygunge as a 15-year-old, came up with an error-free 65 to be tied eighth along with Rashid Khan, Veer Ahlawat, Sanjeev Kumar and Kolkata’s Sunit Chowrasia.

Aadil Bedi, who shot a 68, fired a rare albatross on the par-5 seventh as he holed his 9-iron second shot from 156 yards.

The 21-year-old, winner of the last PGTI event at Tollygunge in 2020, was T31 along with another India star and Kolkata golfer S.S.P. Chawrasia.

Long gap

Chandigarh-based Ajeetesh, an Asian Tour winner, who last played an event at the venue in 2011, created several scoring opportunities with his accuracy off the tee.

Sandhu dropped an early shot before rallying with eight birdies. He capitalised on all the three par-5s with birdies.

The 33-year-old said, “I put together a solid round today. Got myself in good positions with my tee shots which helped create chances with my wedge shots into the greens.

“I managed to make the most of the par-5s which are within reach at this golf course.

“This round is all the more special because I’m playing at this venue after 11 years and to start the week in this manner gives me the belief going forward.”

Among those in tied second, Khalin Joshi struck two eagles, three birdies and a bogey while Gangjee made eight birdies and a double-bogey.

Gangjee said, “It’s been a good start as I made a couple of 20 to 25 footers today.

“For me it was just about braving the heat since I don’t live in Kolkata anymore and am not used to it.

“Besides my game I also have to make sure that my fitness levels are right up there so that I can last four days in the heat.”

Good memories

Jeev Milkha Singh chipped-in for birdie on 12 and made some good par-saves enroute his flawless 65 on Tuesday.

Jeev, who has been working hard on his game before beginning his new innings on the Senior Tour in a few weeks’ time, said, “I’m playing a competitive event at this venue after 35 years.

“I last played here as a junior. Got some very positive vibes playing here today.

“I didn’t have a practice round here and just went with the flow and what my caddie told me, so in that context I’m quite pleased with my effort.”

Also read: Jeev heads star-cast for PGTI Players C’ship at Tollygunge Club