Sunit Chowrasia takes Varanasi lead with course record round

In-form Kolkata golfer Sunit Chowrasia led the NexGen Varanasi event after day two with a course record score at the DLW Greens on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Sunit Chowrasia hit a course record 6 under par 64 to hold a two-shot lead at 9 under 131 after round two of the inaugural Rs 25 lakh NexGen Varanasi at the BLW Greens Golf Course on Wednesday.

Chowrasia (67-64), the NexGen Order of Merit leader, arrived in Varanasi with consecutive victories at the Alpha Sports Academy Golf Championship in Patna and last week’s Vijay Kumar Memorial in Lucknow. 

The Kolkata golfer, bogey-free on the day is now just one round away from completing a hat-trick of NexGen victories, the DP World PGTI said.

Twenty-eight-year-old Hemant Yadav (69-64), an employee of Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) and playing on his home course, matched Chowrasia’s with a brilliant 64 of his own. 

The Varanasi golfer climbed from tied sixth overnight to sole second at 7 under 133, just two shots behind heading into the final round.

Starting from hole nine under the shotgun format, Chowrasia made an early birdie before catching fire with four gains in a five-hole stretch to the 18th.

Another sixth birdie helped the 31-year-old sign for a new course record of 64, also the joint-lowest round of the tournament, as he moved clear of overnight co-leaders Mukeem Ali of Mathura and Dipankar Kaushal of Noida.

Satisfying feeling

“It feels great. Shooting six-under is always satisfying, and I’m pleased with the way I played today. To be back at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round is a good position to be in,” said Chowrasia.

“A lot of the work I’ve been putting in, both on and off the course, is starting to pay off. The key now is not to change anything. I’ll stick to the same process and approach that has worked well for me over the last few weeks.”

Asked about the prospect of a third straight title, he said, “Of course, it would be special, but the focus is on tomorrow’s round. I’ll try to play my game, stay patient and think about celebrating only after the job is done.”

Chowrasia credited his driving and putting for his strong showing. 

“My driving has been the biggest strength this week. I’ve been putting the ball in the right positions off the tee, which has made the course much easier to play.

“Putting has also been solid, especially from the 10 to 15-foot range, and that’s helped me convert chances at important moments.”

Yadav, who started from the 18th hole, had seven birdies against a lone bogey to surge into contention. 

Playing on his home course, Hemant Yadav matched the event leader with a record-equalling run of his own. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.

Consistent run

Playing in his maiden season on the DP World PGTI after coming through Qualifying School in January, Yadav is 12th on the NexGen Order of Merit with four cuts and two top-10 finishes this season.

Reflecting on his round, Yadav said, “I felt I could have gone even lower because I missed a few makeable putts, but that’s part of the game. A six-under round is always satisfying and gives me confidence going into the final day.”

Looking ahead, he added, “The goal tomorrow is simple — continue doing the same things well, stay patient and stick to the game plan.”

Mukeem Ali (67-68) stayed in the hunt with a 2 under 68 and a 5 under 135 total to hold third place. 

Starting from the first hole, Mukeem raced out of the blocks with an eagle on his opening hole and added five birdies, but three bogeys and a double prevented him from keeping pace with the leaders.

Delhi’s Pawan Verma (68-68) continued his consistent run with a second successive 2 under 68 to occupy fourth place on 4 under 136.

Kolkata’s Souvik Nayak (69-69) was fifth at 2 under 138 after a second straight round of 1 under 69.

Kaushal (67-75), one of the three overnight leaders, slipped to tied ninth on 2 over 142 after a difficult 75 on the day.

The cut fell at six-over 146, with 36 of the 72 players advancing to the final round.

The winner of this year’s NexGen Order of Merit earns exemption to the main DP World PGTI for the 2027 season.

Also read: Three-way tie at the top after opening round of NexGen Varanasi