Chandimandir-based Ravi Kumar, fighting to retain his card for 2025, opened at the Golconda Masters with a clean round to share the lead with two others on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Ravi Kumar, Sarthak Chibber and Akshay Neranjen shared the first-round lead at the Rs 1 crore IGPL presents Telangana Golconda Masters at the Hyderabad Golf Association course on Thursday.
Chandimandir-based Kumar, Delhi golfer Chibber and Bangalore-based Neranjen all shot 7 under par 63 with Bangalore’s Aryan Roopa Anand and Sachin Baisoya of Delhi tied for fourth on 6 under 64s, the GTI said.
Rain threatened all day long but barring a short drizzle, there was no stoppage in play.
Kumar, a 10th tee starter scored seven birdies on a clean card thanks to some exceptional wedge-play.
While his chipping was his strongest hand, the 29-year-old who is fighting to save his card for next season also played an outstanding approach on the eighth hole to set up a birdie.
Ravi, who is known to use his 2-iron instead of a hybrid club, said, “It’s a really important week for me as I’m outside the top-60 of the Order of Merit at the moment and if I capitalize on this good start, it could help me gain a lot of ground.
“I did well of the tee today by finding most fairways and that helped eliminate the errors as the rough is quite thick here at the HGA this time. My chipping was also brilliant.
Seeking consistency
“I’ve done well over the first two days at the HGA in the past but have slipped thereafter. I need to make sure to avoid a repeat of that this time around.”
Chhibber too was bogey-free on the day. The 24-year-old is having a solid season with three top-10s including a runner-up finish, was on target consistently, landing the ball to within six feet for six of his seven birdies.
The Delhi golfer never looked in any trouble and sank his longest putt of the day, a 20-footer for birdie on 15 to make it a run of five consecutive birdies on the back nine.
Currently 19th on the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking, Chibber said, “I’m happy that I continued with my consistent scoring.
“This is one of my favourite tracks and this week provides me a great opportunity to build on the momentum I gained in the first half of the season.
“The course is playing great despite the heavy rains recently. The course staff deserves all the credit for providing us excellent playing conditions despite the challenges faced by them.”
Neranjen, also part of the three-way lead, mixed eight birdies with a bogey on the day. He had a fruitful day with the putter with some long birdie putts including a 40-footer on the 13th.
The Bangalore boy also came up with some quality up and downs from rough and the bunker to keep the birdies coming.
Merit leader Veer Ahlawat had a 66 to be tied 11th while Mohd Azhar (69) was the highest-placed among the local golfers in tied 48th.
Also read: Nine Indians to line up at inaugural HSBC Legends Championship
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.