Karandeep 2nd as Naman takes lead

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 17 

City golfer Karandeep Kochhar carded a 7-under 65 to finish a shot behind leader Naman Dawar, who set a course record 8-under, to claim the top spot in the opening round of the Delhi-NCR Open Golf Championship in Noida on Tuesday. 

Kochhar, who has three top-20 finishes so far this year, continued his rich vein of form to score eight birdies besides a 40-feet eagle conversion on the par-5 eighth hole to finish in second place at the Noida Golf Course.   

“It’s just been a solid season for me so far. I’ve been striking it really well. I feel I’m back in the groove after a rather disappointing 2017. I’m looking to improve on my chipping and short putts in order to further raise my game,” 18-year-old Kochhar said after the day’s play.  

Delhi’s Naman Dawar, meanwhile, made the biggest splash in round with a career-best effort of 64. 

Inspired by his performance in Pune last week, where he compiled a total of six-under at the halfway stage, Dawar was once again off to a terrific start at Noida.

The 38-year-old from the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), who is yet to win his maiden title, struck an error-free 64, which included six birdies and an eagle.

Currently 45th on the PGTI Order of Merit, Dawar produced two chip-ins — one for birdie on the third hole and the other for an eagle on the 17th. 

He also rolled in a 40-feet par putt on the 11th that helped him raise the intensity in the middle stages of his round.  

“I’m super excited and super happy about today’s round. It’s great to shoot my career-best and also set the course record. I hit it like a dream and wherever I didn’t hit it well my putting came to my rescue,” said Dawar.

There was a five-way tie for third place at 68 between Shankar Das, Om Prakash Chouhan, Amardeep Rawat, Mari Muthu and Veer Ahlawat, while Chandiagrh’s Harendra Gupta was a shot behind at tied-eighth.  

Another city golfer, Sujjan Singh occupied tied-22nd place after a card of 1-under 71, while Feroz Singh Garewal (76) and Abhijit Singh Chadha (77) were lying at the bottom heap of the leaderboard.