Newly-minted pro Harman Sachdeva of Gurgaon was in fine fettle on day one of the DP World Players Championship and shared the lead at the Classic Golf and Country Club near Manesar on Tuesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Rookie Harman Sachdeva and the experienced Jamal Hossain shared the lead after the opening round of the Rs 1 crore DP World Players Championship at the Classic Golf & Country Club near Manesar on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Sachdeva and Hossain, 41, returned scores of 5 under par 67 to lead the 130-strong field, the DP World PGTI said.
Gurgaon player Sachdeva, in his first full season on the tour, produced an eagle on the par-5 14th, along with six birdies and three bogeys.
He finished strongly with a birdie on the par-5 ninth to join Hossain at the top of the leaderboard.
A six-time winner on the tour, Hossain was bogey-free in his 67 that included five birdies to set the early pace before being joined by the teenager.
Japan’s Taiga Tanaka, Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore and the Haryana duo of Rohit Narwal (Karnal) and Asian Games silver medallist Abhinav Lohan (Faridabad) shared third place on 4 under 68, one shot off the lead.
Lucky break
Sachdeva, a recent Qualifying School graduate making his seventh start of the season, highlighted his eagle on the 14th as the key moment of his round.
“On the 14th, it was quite windy and I didn’t strike the tee shot clean — it hit the trees and came back into the fairway,” Sachdeva said.
“I still had around 210 yards left but managed to get it to about 30 feet and holed the putt.”
He added, “I stayed patient in the conditions, especially with the wind picking up, and focused on executing my plan. Finishing with three straight birdies was a big boost and puts me in a good position.”
Hossain, who became the first player to win a DP World PGTI event as an amateur in 2009, was pleased with his control in testing conditions.
“The wind made it challenging, especially on the back nine, but I felt I controlled my game well,” Hossain said.
Jamal Hossain used all his experience to emerge as co-leader after the opening day of the event. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
Solid effort
“My driving and putting were solid, and I was able to take my chances when they came.
“I made a few good mid-range birdies and a long one on the last hole, which was a nice way to finish. Overall, I’m happy with how I handled the conditions.”
DP World PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar was tied for seventh along with six others on 3 under 69.
The strong field at the event has the likes of Veer Ahlawat, and Om Prakash Chouhan and Manu Gandas (all former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champions).
Others include recent winners Khalin Joshi and Honey Baisoya, and Angad Cheema, a two-time winner on the tour last year.
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