Shubhankar Sharma leads Tour Champs

Report by Anand Datla

December 25, 2014: The grand finale of the PGTI Tour got off to an exciting start, with some of India’s best golfers producing solid performances in the first round of the McLeod Russel Tour Championship. Every golfer in the top 20 broke par as they took advantage of the mild conditions around the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club. Shubhankar Sharma shot a 64 to gain a two shot lead over S Chikkarangappa after the first round.

Sharma made five birdies in seven holes to race through the front nine in just 31 shots. And though he was temporarily slowed down by a bogey at the 10th, he finished with a flourish, making four straight birdies to finish at 8-under through 18 holes.

An eagle at the par-5 15th hole was the highlight of Chikkarangappa’s first round effort. The golfer from Bengaluru made 66 to slot himself behind the leader. Chikka made five birdies and a lone bogey, besides his effort at the 15th hole.

Shamim Khan enjoyed a spotless round of golf, punctuated by two birdies on the front nine and three more on the return stretch as he signed off with a 67. Dharma also made five birdies in the first round, but a bogey at the 7th hole saw him slip to T4 with a four under 68.

Gaganjeet Bhullar made eight birdies, but his round was affected adversely by a slew of bogeys. Bhullar made bogey at the 6th and 13th holes, besides a double bogey six at the 10th hole to settle in along side Dharma.

Keeping the two men company was Shankar Das, who like Dharma had five birdies and a bogey. Chiragh Kumar was in seventh with a three under 69. It was a complete logjam behind those men in the top seven.

Six golfers made 70, including Rahil Gangjee to be lying in T8 at 2-under through 18 holes. A further collection of eight men, including Rashid Khan made 71, lying in T14, seven shots behind the leader.