Chandigarh (Punjab)[India]October 14 (ANI): Former champions Karandeep Kochhar and Chikkarangappa S took a joint lead at 7-under 65 on the first day of the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational being played at Chandigarh Golf Club here.
Local favorite Karandeep, the 2020 champions, scored eight birdies in exchange for a bogey, while Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa, winner of the inaugural edition in 2018, produced a bogey-free round.
Veer Ahlawat finished third at 66th position while veteran Jyoti Randhawa, Sandeep Singh and Chandigarh’s Adil Bedi finished fourth a shot behind.
Karandeep Kochhar started the week on a positive note with a brilliant approach shot on the first hole that landed about four feet below the pin and led to a birdie. However, the highlight of Kochhar’s round was his brilliant cross on the fourth hole from 15 feet, when his second shot caused him to lie in the bunker. Par Sev on the fourth provided the spark for Karandeep’s round which was followed by seven more birdies. A birdie conversion of 20 feet on the last hole gave Kochhar the momentum needed for the second round.
Karandeep said, “Last week’s win in Ahmedabad was crucial to my confidence as I missed the cut last week in Taiwan. I was good from tee to green today, hitting mostly fairways and greens and myself a lot. It was giving all the birdie opportunities. This week it will be my game plan, to play it and try to get as close as possible and make the putt.”
“The feeling of being back home and playing on your home turf is always an advantage. I haven’t played here at Chandigarh Golf Club for a month and a half now, but never really loses the feeling of home. The fact that I have won this event in the past and have come close to winning on a few other occasions also boosts my confidence,” said Karandeep.
Chikkarangappa started his day with some long birdie conversions on the ninth front and ended with a birdie on the last three holes where he landed it close to the pin.
“I was just trying to focus on repeating what I did on this course in 2018 when I won this event. I will try to play every hole the same way I did in 2018. That’s what I thought. Have a discussion with your caddy before the start of the event,” said Chikrangappa.
Other prominent names were Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rahil Gangji at 69th position at 13th, SSP Chaurasia and Rashid Khan at 70th at 25th and Ajitesh Sandhu of Chandigarh at 48th at 71st in 2019.
Tournament host and Indian golf legend Jeev Milkha Singh opened the event with 77 to finish 114th.
Defending champion Shiv Kapoor withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury. (ANI)
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