By Rahul Banerji
Experienced international Shiv Kapur and local lad Abhijit Singh Chadha made flying starts with eight-under 64s to share the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2021 first-round lead at the Chandigarh Golf Club on Thursday.
While Dubai-based Kapur had a bogey-free run, two-time PGTI winner Chadha, playing his home course, fired an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey.
Delhi’s Rashid Khan produced an impressive error-free seven-under 65 to be placed third in the TAKE Sport-presented event.
The 39-year-old Kapur, who has had a few starts on the European Tour this year, picked up his first birdie on the fifth hole and didn’t look back thereafter.
He collected a further seven shots including 16 and 17.
Kapur had enjoyed a similar start at the 2018 edition of the event with a first round of 65 to be the joint leader.
The six-time international winner said, “I was solid all the way. I didn’t birdie two of the short par-5s and left a couple of putts out there but overall it was a clean card with no bogeys.
“I also holed my fair share of putts, hit lots of fairways and all 18 greens in regulation. However, there’s a long way to go and I will look to try and build from here.
Shaking off rust
“I’ve not played enough competitive golf of late, so I was worried about being a little bit rusty.
“But the good start helped me shake off the rust. This is a great tune-up for me ahead of the restart of the Asian Tour in a couple of weeks from now.
“Jeev is like an elder brother to me, so I always try my best to play this event. The event means a lot to Jeev after the passing of his parents earlier this year.
“We are all here to support him. This tournament would also not be possible without the support of TAKE and Srinivasan H.R.. They have stood by the PGTI even in tough times.”
The 30-year-old Abhijit Singh Chadha, who began his round from the 10th tee on Thursday, recorded a 64 courtesy of his hot putter.
Gaining shots
After sinking his first birdie on 13, the lanky Abhijit added an eagle, six more birdies and a bogey to his card. He sank a 45-footer on the fifth and a 30-feet putt on the seventh.
The newly-married Chadha, said, “The two 30-feet plus putts were the highlights of the round.
“It’s been a slow season for me but I’ve worked a lot on my putting and things are coming together now. Playing in home conditions also always helps.”
Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, seasoned Gaurav Ghei of Delhi, Kshitij Naveed Kaul, another Delhi-based player and Gurgaon’s Tapy Ghai were in tied fourth on 67.
Aadil Bedi was the third Chandigarh player in the top-10 as he struck a 68 to be tied eighth.
Among the marquee names in the field, Jyoti Randhawa, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Udayan Mane and former champion Ajeetesh Sandhu of Chandigarh carded 69s to be tied 12th.
Gaganjeet Bhullar and former champion Chikkarangappa S. were a further shot back in tied 26th place.
Chandigarh’s Karandeep Kochhar, the defending champion and PGTI Order of Merit leader, shot a 72 to be tied 50th.
Good company
Tournament host Jeev, who had good friends and fellow Chandigarh professionals Amritinder Singh and Gurbaaz Mann as his playing partners, returned a 75 to be placed tied 89th.
Jeev said, “I was pleasantly surprised that I turned at even-par despite being so rusty. I managed myself quite well off the tee and kept it in play.
“On the front nine I made three bogeys from the centre of the fairway so that was a little disappointing and just showed that my iron-play was patchy today. I’m looking forward to a better second round.
“I had a good time out there with Amritinder and Gurbaaz as we relived the old memories.
“We were serious where we needed to be and at other times we joked around and egged each other on and pushed each other for better shots.”
Also read: Kochhar prevails in playoff over Lahiri at Jeev Invitational
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