Jamal Hossain chips his way to title at the Ahmedabad Open 2023

By Deepak Arora

AHMEDABAD, April 22: Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain (33-36-69-70) chipped his way to a gritty final round performance of two-under 70 to break his four-year long victory-drought at the Ahmedabad Open 2023 presented by Glade One, a Rs. 1 crore event played at the Glade One Golf Resort & Club.

Jamal, lying overnight third, one shot off the lead, emerged triumphant in round four as he totaled eight-under 208 for the week thus securing his fourth PGTI title which was also his first win on the tour since 2019.

Jamal’s success at Ahmedabad pushed him up 16 spots from 21st to fifth place in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings. The Dhaka lad had also posted a tied fourth finish at Chandigarh last week after leading early in the final round.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan (34-35-68-72), the round three joint leader, finished runner-up at seven-under 209 following his fourth round of 72.

Delhi’s Kshitij Naveed Kaul (33-35-69-73), the round three co-leader, claimed third place at six-under 210 after shooting a 73 on day four.

Eighteen-year-old rookie Shaurya Binu (72) of Bengaluru took tied fourth place at five-under 211 along with Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa, who shot the day’s best score of 68 and Delhi’s Kapil Kumar (71).

The first two rounds of the tournament comprised nine holes each. The third and fourth rounds comprised 18 holes each. The tournament was played over a total of 54 holes. The par for the course in the third and fourth rounds was 72. The 9-hole course was played twice in rounds three and four with different pin positions.

The 38-year-old Jamal Hossain began the day with a bogey on the first but immediately made up for it with a chip-in for eagle from 30 yards on the second. Jamal then landed his chips within a foot on the fifth and 11th for tap-in birdies on both holes.

Hossain’s bogeys on the 13th and 17th couldn’t stop his march to the title as he landed his approach within four feet for another birdie on the 15th and made a crucial two-putt for par on the 18th to pocket the top prize of Rs. 15 lakh.

Jamal has the distinction of being the first player to win on the PGTI as an amateur when he bagged the Bangladesh Open back in 2009. Karandeep Kochhar of Chandigarh later joined this list.

Jamal said, “I played my wedges and chip shots to perfection today. After a bad start, the eagle on the second gave me a lot of confidence. I then just focused on keeping it in play.

“There was some pressure on me going into the last hole when Rashid got within one shot of me. However, I had clarity in my thought-process while teeing it up on the last hole. I knew finding the green in two shots and making par with a two-putt could be good enough to win. I executed that plan well.

“I learnt from my mistakes in Chandigarh last week where I was in the lead in the early stages of the final round before I blew away my chances with some poor iron shots.

“I’ve waited a long time for this win. I would like to thank my home course Kurmitola Golf Club and the Bangladesh Golf Federation for all their support. I would also like to thank my sponsor for the last 14 years for its support. My family and friends have also been a great source of encouragement for me,” added Jamal.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan, a major contender for most of the final round, mixed three birdies and three bogeys on Saturday. Rashid made par on the last hole thus missing the opportunity of taking the match into a playoff.

Among the Ahmedabad professionals, Varun Parikh finished tied 16th at even-par 216 while Anshul Patel was tied 28th at three-over 219.

Noida-based 15-year-old Aarav D Shah of Australia won the prize for the best performing amateur as he ended the week in tied 22nd place at a total of two-over 218.

As the PGTI heads into its mid-season break, Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow continues to lead the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings with season’s earnings of Rs. 52,52,650.

Karan Pratap Singh Wins TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGARH, April 15: Its turning out to be one memorable April for young Karan Pratap Singh. The 22-year-old from Faridabad prevailed in a tight finish to claim his maiden victory at the Rs. 1 crore TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club on Saturday.

The in-form Karan Pratap’s win followed his career-best runner-up finish in Noida last week where he had lost in a playoff.

Karan (70-70-68-70), lying two shots off the lead in second place at the start of the day, posted a resolute two-under 70 on day four to tally 10-under 278 for the week that kept his nearest rivals at bay and helped him triumph by one shot.

Om Prakash Chouhan (72-70-69-68) of Mhow and Arjun Sharma (71-68-70-70) of Greater Noida were the joint runners-up at matching totals of nine-under 279.

Karan Pratap Singh had an action-packed front-nine where he made four birdies and three bogeys. Singh’s 30-feet birdie conversion on the third and a perfect 9-Iron tee shot on the eighth where he narrowly missed a hole-in-one were his standout moments on the front-nine.

The bespectacled Karan, who has an unconventional putting grip referred to as the claw grip, kept himself in contention on a busy leaderboard with a birdie and bogey till the 15th. He finally broke away from the pack by making a quality chip-putt for birdie on the 17th. Singh made another great chip-putt, this time for par, after missing the green on the 18th to come home the champion.

Karan, who turned professional in 2019, took home the winner’s cheque worth Rs. 15 lakh to climb from sixth to third place in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings as his season’s earnings moved to Rs. 33,34,463.

Karan said, “It was great to finally get the job done especially after coming so close and losing out in the playoff last week. The turning point for me today was the birdie on the eighth hole where I nearly made a hole-in-one. There was a two-shot swing in my favour on the eighth as I sank a birdie there while Jamal dropped a bogey. That helped me tie Jamal for the lead.

“Once tied for the lead, I was confident of my chances. Despite the tight contest, my self-belief grew after the birdie on the 13th.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win my first title. I’ve been playing well since the start of the year and have had good results. This win is all the more important for me as I missed the second half of last season due to a knee injury.

“I switched to the claw grip on my putter last year. This change in my putting grip has really suited my game and has helped me putt better.”

The seasoned Om Prakash Chouhan, a contender for most part of the final day, mixed six birdies and two bogeys to shoot the day’s best score of 68. Om Prakash thus moved up six spots from his overnight tied eighth position. Chouhan, a winner last month, further extended his lead in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings as a result of his joint runner-up finish. His season’s earnings now stand at Rs. 52,52,650.

Arjun Sharma had a slow start with a solitary bogey on the front-nine before he raced into contention with three birdies on the back-nine. Arjun, a runner-up on the PGTI last year, missed out on a birdie opportunity on the 18th to end the week in tied second.

Delhi’s Kapil Kumar (71) and Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain (74) finished tied fourth at eight-under 280.

Jairaj Singh Sandhu (72) and Harendra Gupta (73) were the two Chandigarh golfers who finished inside the top-10 as both secured tied sixth place at six-under 282.

Jamal Hossain stays on top after steady third round 69, maintains two-shot lead

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGARH, April 14: Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain maintained his two-shot lead after signing for a steady three-under 69 in round three of the Rs. 1 crore TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club.

Dhaka lad Jamal (70-67-69), the overnight leader by two shots, was thus well-placed for a shot at his fourth PGTI title as his total moved to 10-under 206.

Faridabad’s Karan Pratap Singh (70-70-68), the runner-up in Noida last week, continued his fine form by posting the day’s best score of 68 and moving up four spots to second position at eight-under 208.

The 38-year-old Jamal, who won his last PGTI event in 2019, was off to a sizzling start thanks to his three birdies on the first five holes where he came up with some brilliant chips including a chip-in from the bunker on the fifth.

Jamal sank an 18-footer to pick up his fourth birdie of the day on the 12th. Thereafter, with fewer regulations and the putter going cold, Hossain had a dry spell till the end as he dropped a bogey on the 14th and made pars on the rest of the holes.

Jamal, runner-up at last year’s edition of the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship at Chandigarh Golf Club, said, “I was off to a great start that finally helped me hold on to my advantage. I came up with some tremendous wedge shots and an accurate tee shot on the opening stretch. But I lost my momentum somewhere in the middle with a couple of near misses for birdies. I then struck it well on the back-nine but the putts didn’t fall for me there.

“In the final round, my approach will be to play percentage golf as I’ll look to find fairways and make regulations. If the birdies don’t come my way, the plan will be to make as many pars as possible and let the others try to catch up with me.”

Karan Pratap Singh, lying overnight tied sixth and three off the lead, made seven birdies and three bogeys for his 68 that moved him into contention on Friday. He fired his approach within a couple of feet of the pin on the 18th to end the day with a tap-in birdie.

Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta (70) kept local hopes alive as he closed the day in tied third place at seven-under 209 along with Delhi’s Kapil Kumar (69) and Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma (70).

The Chandigarh duo of Jairaj Singh Sandhu (68) and Angad Cheema (71) were also inside the top-10. While southpaw Jairaj matched the day’s best of 68 to be tied sixth at six-under 210, Angad was in tied eighth place at five-under 211.

Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan was the third player to shoot a 68, the day’s lowest, on Friday. He too was tied for eighth.

Jamal Hossain seizes halfway lead with day’s best 67 on Day 2 of TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGRAH, April 13: Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain seized the halfway lead after returning the second day’s best score of five-under 67 at the Rs. 1 crore TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club.

Dhaka-based Jamal’s (70-67) total read seven-under 137 and he enjoyed a two-shot lead over the quartet comprising Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma (68), Kolkata’s Mohammad Sanju (71), Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta (70) and American Varun Chopra (71).

The cut was declared at two-over 146. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.

The 38-year-old Jamal, lying tied 12th and two off the lead after round one, had a quiet front-nine with a birdie and a bogey each. However, Hossain’s putter began firing on the front-nine as he made a 40-feet birdie conversion on the eighth.

Jamal, who was the runner-up at last year’s edition of the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship at Chandigarh Golf Club, then sank long birdie putts at will on the back-nine to make a charge. The three-time winner on the PGTI drained a 35-footer, two 15-feet putts and a 10-footer for birdies. He also landed his five-iron approach within a foot of the flag, his best shot of the day in his own words, for a tap-in birdie on the 15th.

Jamal said, “My good ball-striking form has given me a lot of confidence coming into this week. I’ve also gone back to my old putter which has helped me put up a better putting display so far this week.

“The fact that I played well here in Chandigarh during last year’s event and finished runner-up, also adds to my self-belief going into the last two days.”

Arjun Sharma carded an error-free 68 to occupy joint second place.

Angad Cheema (70) was the second Chandigarh golfer in the top-10 as he was placed tied sixth at four-under 140.

Kevin Esteve Rigaill of Andorra matched the day’s best 67. He was placed tied 23rd at one-under 143.

Varun Chopra, Tapy Ghai, Yashas Chandra, Mohammad Sanju leading quartet on day one of TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGARH, April 12: American Varun Chopra, Gurugram-based Tapy Ghai, Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra and Mohammad Sanju of Kolkata shot scores of four-under 68 to make up the leading quartet on day one of the Rs. 1 crore TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club.

On a windy day, the leaderboard looked packed with seven golfers bunched in tied fifth place just one shot behind the lead at 69.

This chasing pack included Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya who made a hole-in-one on the eighth as well as Chandigarh pros Harendra Gupta, defending champ Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Akshay Sharma. The three other players in tied fifth were Mari Muthu, Harsh Gangwar and Divyanshu Bajaj.

Inspired by Spaniard Jon Rahm’s winning performance at the Masters last week, rookie Varun Chopra put behind the disappointment of a double-bogey on his opening hole of the tournament with a superb display thereafter as he went on to pick up six birdies.

Chicago-based Varun, a joint runner-up at PGTI’s event in Kolkata in February this year, made three birdie conversions from a range of 15 to 30 feet and also capitalized on two of the par-5s by sinking two-putts for birdies there. The 23-year-old Chopra fired his approach within three feet of the pin for his sixth birdie of the day on the 17th.

Varun, who is staying with family in Chandigarh this week, said, “After making double-bogey on the first hole, I thought about and was inspired by what Jon Rahm did at the Masters last week. Rahm too began the tournament with a double-bogey but then came back fighting with birdies on the next two holes and a score of 65 in the first round which laid the foundation for his victory. That thought gave me a lot of incentive to stay positive.

“I also remember this course well and have a good idea of how to approach it because I had played a PGTI event here in 2021 while still an amateur and had finished as the best amateur and inside the top-30 on that occasion.

“As I’m staying with my grandparents in Chandigarh, I also have the advantage of home comfort. I’m familiar with the city as I’ve been visiting my grandparents in Chandigarh since I was a kid. That helps when you’re far away from home.”

Yashas Chandra and Tapy Ghai both made seven birdies and three bogeys during their first round. Yashas sank a couple of 15-feet birdies. Mohammad Sanju mixed an eagle and four birdies with a double-bogey.

Sachin Baisoya struck a hole-in-one for the second week in succession as he had fired an ace at last week’s tournament in Noida too.

TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club gets underway from April 12

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGARH, April 10: The TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2023, presented by Chandigarh Golf Club, will be played from April 12 to 15 at the Chandigarh Golf Club. The tournament carries a prize purse of Rs. 1 crore. The Pro-Am event will be staged on April 11.

The field of 126 players includes 123 professionals and three amateurs. The leading Indian professionals in the fray are Udayan Mane, defending champion Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, TATA Steel PGTI Rankings leader Om Prakash Chouhan, Sachin Baisoya and Gaurav Pratap Singh, to name a few.

The foreign challenge will be led by Sri Lankans Mithun Perera, N Thangaraja, Anura Rohana, K Prabagaran, Bangladeshis Jamal Hossain, Badal Hossain, Md Akbar Hossain, Americans Varun Chopra, Tejas Sinha, Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai, Canadians Sukhraj Singh Gill, Minwoo Park, Japan’s Makoto Iwasaki and Andorra’s Kevin Esteve Rigaill.

Besides Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, the other top golfers from Chandigarh Tricity participating in the event include Sujjan Singh, Abhijit Singh Chadha, Akshay Sharma, Aadil Bedi, Harendra Gupta, Angad Cheema, Harmeet Kahlon, Amandeep Johl, Ranjit Singh and Amritinder Singh.

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “We thank Chandigarh Golf Club for partnering us in staging the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship which is now an important leg of the PGTI schedule. The competition is getting intense with each passing event of the season and with Chandigarh Golf Club's reputation of producing nail-biting contests, we can expect another week of fascinating golf.”

Col. H S Chahal, President, Chandigarh Golf Club, said, “The Chandigarh Golf Club is delighted to host the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship from 11th to 15th April 2023. Participation of the finest golfers from across the country at this tournament will serve as an inspiration for young golfers from the region. The live coverage of the event will also help us showcase the hallowed greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club to a wide audience across the country.”

K S Sibia, Captain, Chandigarh Golf Club, said, “We're honoured to host the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship. With an impressive prize purse on offer and a strong field contending for the title, the members at the Chandigarh Golf Club can look forward to a very exciting week of golfing action. We have worked towards providing the perfect playing conditions which will test the skills of the best golfers in the country.”

Gaurav Pratap Singh wins Delhi-NCR Open 2023 tournament

By Deepak Arora

NOIDA, April 7: Noida’s Garav Pratap Singh ended a 14-year-long wait for his second PGTI title with his playoff victory at the Rs. 1 crore Delhi-NCR Open 2023 played at the Noida Golf Course.

The 38-year-old Gaurav (35-68-70-71), playing at his home course, put up a solid final round performance of one-under 71 before prevailing in a playoff against Faridabad’s Karan Pratap Singh (34-71-70-69).

Gaurav and Karan had earlier posted identical totals of eight-under 244 in regulation play to force a playoff.

The 22-year-old Karan, who turned pro in 2019, secured a career-best runner-up finish.

Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta (69) and Greater Noida’s Sudhir Sharma (71) claimed tied third place at seven-under 245. Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain fired the day’s best 68 to take fifth place at six-under 246.

Gaurav Pratap Singh, who was overnight second and one shot behind leader Shamim Khan, picked up birdies on the first and sixth courtesy some great wedge shots. Gaurav, who was struggling with his short-game in round three, turned around his chipping and putting form on day four making a number of crucial chip-putts for par after dropping a bogey on the 11th. Singh produced a terrific bunker shot on the 16th to set up an important tap-in for par.

On the playoff hole, Gaurav made a two-putt from 25 feet for par while his opponent Karan Pratap Singh missed a two-putt from 40 feet for par. Gaurav thus bagged his fourth professional title and second win on the PGTI. He also has two wins on the PGTI Feeder Tour. Gaurav’s winning cheque of Rs. 15,00,000 propelled him from 22nd to fourth place in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings.

Gaurav, who had also won his previous PGTI title at the Noida Golf Course in 2009, said, “It’s been a long time since I won so it almost seems to me like my first win. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs over the last few years but I’m pleased to have got the win under my belt at last. Playing at one’s home course is always an advantage but I didn’t think too much about that and played like I would’ve at any other course. It was great to win in the presence of my family.

“While coming down the stretch I did feel some pressure with couple of drives landing on the left but my short-game was the saving grace for me on those occasions. I kept my calm, focussed on my short-game as I knew that I had to make a lot of par putts. I didn’t hit it well on the last 4 holes so the chip-putts were crucial there.

“On the playoff hole, the wind kept switching so I was aware that hitting a 3-wood could land my shot in the water hazard, therefore I hit my 2-iron short of the water in order to find the green in two shots and give myself a birdie opportunity.

“I came close to winning a lot of times in the recent past but somehow could not close it. However, I never gave up and kept working hard. Consistency and trying to put myself in contention every time has finally paid off for me.”

Karan Pratap Singh, who was in good ball-striking form through the week, landed it very close to the pins on the final day. Karan’s last round featured seven birdies and four bogeys. He made it to the playoff with birdies on the last two holes. Karan’s runner-up cheque of Rs. 10,00,000 lifted him from 12th to sixth place in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings.

Round three leader Shamim Khan of Delhi shot a fourth round of 78 to slip to tied 11th at two-under 250 on Friday.

Seasoned Shamim Khan weathers the windy conditions to move into the lead in Delhi-NCR Open 2023

By Deepak Arora

NOIDA, April 6: The seasoned Shamim Khan brought all his experience to the fore that helped him weather the windy conditions and shoot the day’s best score of four-under 68 to take the third round lead at the Rs. 1 crore Delhi-NCR Open 2023 being played at the Noida Golf Course.

The Delhi-based Shamim (35-69-68), a winner of 17 titles, gained four spots on Thursday to move into a one-shot lead at eight-under 172.

Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh (35-68-70), playing at his home course, struck a 70 that included one of only three eagles fired in round three, to climb one spot to second position at seven-under 173.

Delhi golfers Sachin Baisoya (70) and Honey Baisoya (73) as well as Greater Noida’s Sudhir Sharma (74) were in tied third place with totals of six-under 174.

Shamim Khan, who was overnight tied fifth, placed his nine-iron approach shots to perfection to earn birdies on the second and fourth holes. The 44-year-old Shamim, a two-time winner at the Noida Golf Course, made further progress with birdies on the seventh and eighth including a 35-feet conversion on the former.

As the wind wreaked havoc on his back-nine, Khan, a two-time PGTI Order of Merit champion, dropped his first bogey of the day on the 11th. Shamim then adapted to the situation to play percentage golf as he picked up just one birdie on the 14th and made pars on all other holes.

Shamim said, “Club-selection was key today as it was the most windy day of the week so far. It was a very satisfying round considering the tough conditions. I felt I adjusted really well to the conditions after the wind picked up in the latter half of my round. I told myself to look for fairways and greens and not try anything fancy in order to hold on to my advantage.

“I’m quite familiar with the Noida Golf Course having played here quite often in the past. The fact that I’ve tasted success here twice also adds to my confidence going into the last round.”

Gaurav Pratap Singh mixed an eagle, four birdies and four bogeys in round three to jump into contention at a venue where he has won a title previously.

Patna’s Aman Raj aced the 10th during his round of 73 that placed him tied 13th at two-under 178.

Sudhir Sharma maintains lead in round two of Delhi-NCR Open 2023

By Deepak Arora

NOIDA, April 5: Greater Noida golfer Sudhir Sharma’s steady even-par 72 helped him maintain his lead at the halfway stage of the Rs. 1 crore Delhi-NCR Open 2023 being played at the Noida Golf Course.

Sudhir (28-72), the first round leader by three shots, totaled eight-under 100 after round two to hold on to his advantage.

Delhi-based Honey Baisoya (32-69) struck a 69 to be one shot behind the leader at seven-under 101 in second position.

Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh (68) and Chandigarh’s Ranjit Singh (69) were tied for third at five-under 103.

The first round was curtailed to nine holes due to rain with the par for the round being 36. However, with the rain staying away on Wednesday, the second round was played over 18 holes with the par for the round being the usual 72. The cut was thus applied after 27 holes.

The cut fell at one-over 109 with 56 professionals making it to the money rounds.

Sudhir Sharma, who enjoyed a dream start with a first round of eight-under featuring two eagles on Tuesday, had a contrasting second round that included four birdies and four bogeys. Sudhir had a strong start with three birdies on his first four holes where he hit his wedges to perfection, chipping-in on the second hole.

The 35-year-old Sharma, a two-time winner on the PGTI Feeder Tour, then hit a few shots off-target that resulted in four bogeys for him between the eighth and the 17th. He added just one more birdie on the 14th.

Sudhir said, “I felt good about my game at the start of the day especially after the first round effort. I even started off well with those early birdies. But the bogey on the eighth just broke my momentum. However, I knew it’s always tough to follow up an effort of eight-under with another such score. I’m happy to still be placed at the top largely thanks to my strong front-nine.”

Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya fired a hole-in-one on the third during his round of 73 that placed him tied fifth at four-under 104.

Pune’s Pranav Mardikar also struck an ace on the 16th as he carded a 68 to be placed tied ninth at three-under 105.

Sudhir Sharma makes a dream start with an eight-under over nine holes on Day One of Delhi-NCR Open 2023

By Deepak Arora

NOIDA, April 4: Sudhir Sharma of Greater Noida made a dream start to the Delhi-NCR Open 2023 with a sensational eight-under 28 over nine holes to grab the clubhouse lead on day one at the Noida Golf Course.

Gurugram’s Manu Gandas, Delhi’s Honey Baisoya and Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain were tied second in the clubhouse with scores of four-under 32.

The start of round one was delayed by three hours on Tuesday due to the heavy overnight rain. As play began at 10 am, round one could not be completed on Tuesday. Twelve players out of 126 are yet to finish their first round.

The rain resulted in waterlogging on the back-nine. Therefore, play was only possible on the front-nine on Tuesday. As a result, the first round was played over nine holes with the par for the round being 36.

Depending on the weather conditions, round two may be played over 18 holes or nine holes. Therefore, the cut will be applied over either 27 or 18 holes.

Sudhir Sharma, a two-time winner on the PGTI Feeder Tour, couldn’t have asked for a better start to the week as he drained a 20-feet eagle putt on the first hole. Sudhir carried on the good work sinking a couple of more long birdies including a mammoth 45-footer on the fifth. The 35-year-old finally wrapped up his round in style with three accurate approach shots that set up an eagle and two birdies on the last three holes.

Sudhir said, “It was a perfect round, hitting was solid and putting was consistent as I holed a few long putts. It was about trying to keep it more in play and avoiding mistakes since it was a nine-hole round. Adjusting to the course conditions after the overnight rain was also key. I used to play a lot over here so I’m quite familiar with this course and enjoy playing here.

“I’m feeling very confident now because earlier I was struggling with my swing after having made a couple of changes in it. I felt good about my swing today.”

Delhi-NCR Open 2023 begins at Noida Golf Course from April 4

By Deepak Arora

NOIDA, April 3: The TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) announced the Delhi-NCR Open Golf Championship 2023 which will be staged at the Noida Golf Course from April 4 – 7, 2023. The Pro-Am event will be staged on April 8. The tournament carries a prize purse of Rs. 1 crore, the highest-ever for a PGTI event at Noida Golf Course.

The tournament field features some of the top Indian professionals such as DP World Tour regular and defending champion Manu Gandas, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rashid Khan, PGTI Order of Merit leader Om Prakash Chouhan, Aman Raj, Khalin Joshi, Viraj Madappa, as well as former champions Udayan Mane and Honey Baisoya.

Besides Rashid Khan, Honey Baisoya and Manu Gandas, the other leading golfers from the Delhi-NCR region participating in the event include Sachin Baisoya, Shamim Khan, Abhinav Lohan and Amardeep Malik, to name a few.

The foreign challenge will be led by Sri Lankans Mithun Perera, N Thangaraja, Anura Rohana, K Prabagaran, Bangladeshis Jamal Hossain, Badal Hossain, Md Akbar Hossain, American Varun Chopra, Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai, Canadians Sukhraj Singh Gill and Minwoo Park, Japan’s Makoto Iwasaki and Andorra’s Kevin Esteve Rigaill.

All three amateurs in the field – Ankur Prakash, Ishaan Sawhney and Parth Raman Sood – are from the Noida Golf Course.

Dr Steven Menezes, Secretary, Noida Golf Course, said, “We welcome the return of the Delhi-NCR Open 2023, one of the most awaited events on the PGTI schedule, to the Noida Golf Course. We look forward to staging our biggest ever prize money event in partnership with the PGTI."

Dr Steven Menezes said "The event is a great opportunity to provide exposure to our budding golfers as the depth in the field, the handsome prize purse on offer and excellent playing conditions set the stage for a highly competitive week of golf. It is our endeavour at the Noida Golf Course to support Indian professional golf through the staging of such events.”

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “The Delhi-NCR Open has over the years emerged as an important stop for the PGTI in the Delhi-NCR region, one of the big golfing hubs in the country. We thank Noida Golf Course for their continued support to the event. We're delighted to announce a Rs. 1 crore event at the Noida Golf Course for the first time. With an impressive prize purse at stake and a strong field vying for it, we can expect a spectacle of golf this week in Noida.”