Debutant Umed claims lead at golf tourney

Chandimandir’s Umed Kumar made his professional debut in style as he shot a 3-under 61 to jointly lead the opening round along with Bengaluru’s Mari Muthu R at the fourth event of the PGTI NEXGEN season, being played at the Forest Hill Golf and Country Club, Mohali.

While Kumar, the 24-year-old from Chandimandir’s SEPTA golf course, struck four birdies and a bogey, Muthu posted six birdies and three bogeys. Sachin Chouhan of Mhow was placed third at one-under 63 while Kolkata’s Irfan Ali Mollah carded an even-par 64 to be placed fourth.

“I’m delighted to make a good start in my first-ever professional event. This gives me a lot of confidence going ahead. I negotiated the windy conditions well and played some solid golf as I found all fairways and missed just three greens,” said Kumar.

The Forest Hill Golf & Country Club is a par-64 nine-hole course where the nine holes are played twice to comprise a round.

Kumar, a winner of two amateur titles including the Eastern India Amateur in 2023, made a dream start to his pro career thanks to his exceptional short-game. He sank a couple of birdies from a range of 12 to 15 feet and also chipped-in for birdie on the fourth hole.

“I’m quite familiar with this golf course as I have playing rights here so that is an added advantage for me. I know where to land my approaches and which side I can afford to miss the greens, if at all,” Kumar said

Muthu, the co-leader, was outstanding with his wedge shots and chipping as he landed it within five feet on four occasions to set up birdies. Kolkata’s Khokan Molla made a hole-in-one on the 18th during his round of 78.