DP World Players Championship day one leader Kshitij Naveed Kaul in action at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on Tuesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Kshitij Naveed Kaul led the way after round one of the Rs 1.5 crore DP World Players Championship at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Kaul posted a flawless 8 under par 62 at one of his favourite venues where he had also set the course record with a 10-under 60 last year, the DP World PGTI said.
Honey Baisoya’s 63 had him in second place while American Jhared Hack, winner of the season-opener last week, Kushal Singh, Dhruv Sheoran and Akshay Sharma were a further shot behind in tied third place.
Former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer Ahlawat began the week with a 65 to be tied seventh.
The 25-year-old Kaul, a winner of five DP World PGTI events, including one last season, drove the ball to perfection on Tuesday as he landed four of his drives close to the green.
His round also featured a couple of immaculate bunker shots. Kaul, who had a fourth-place finish last week in New Raipur, collected three birdies on the back-nine and added five more on the front-nine including four on the trot.
Top effort
Delhi Golf Club’s Kaul said later, “My driving and bunker shots were top-notch today. I came close to finding the green with my drives on a few occasions.
“My approach shots were also quite accurate. I really enjoy playing on this golf course. I had a great outing here last year as well.
“At this course, making chip-putts from close range is not easy, so hitting good wedge shots from a longer range is that much more important. That’s what I managed to do well today.”
Baisoya, who was in contention at the Chhattisgarh Open last week having led the field after round three, continued the good work at Qutab.
He turned in an error-free effort of 7 under 63 with four birdies on the back nine and three on the front nine.
Hack and Kushal Singh produced magic with their wedges as the former landed it within five feet on four occasions while the latter started the day with three consecutive birdies, all tap-ins from two feet.
Also read: Hack makes DP World PGTI debut with Chhattisgarh Open win
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