Rabat (Morocco), May 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s rising star Pranavi Urs produced a composed and confident opening round of 3-under 70 to move into tied second place after the first day in Morocco. The 23-year-old stayed firmly in contention in a tightly packed leaderboard, just two shots behind Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, who carded a superb 5-under 68 to take the outright lead.

Pranavi, who has shown consistent form in recent months, once again demonstrated her growing maturity on the Ladies European Tour. Starting from the back nine, she settled in quickly with an early birdie on the 11th hole and then played steady golf with seven successive pars to make the turn at 1-under.

Her momentum gathered pace on the front nine as she reeled off three consecutive birdies on the first, second, and third holes to briefly challenge for the lead. A bogey on the fourth halted the charge, but Pranavi responded calmly with pars on each of the remaining five holes to close a fine opening round and earn a share of second place alongside nine other players.

The Indian golfer has been knocking on the door of a breakthrough title. Last season, she finished inside the top 10 at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, and she also made headlines by winning the IGPL Invitational Mumbai in a mixed professional field, becoming the first Indian woman professional to achieve that feat against male professionals.

Leader Bennett mixed seven birdies with two bogeys during an impressive round. The Australian picked up shots on the first, second, seventh, eighth, 12th, 13th, and 16th holes, with her only blemishes coming on the 14th and 15th.

Among the other Indians in the field, Avani Prashanth and Diksha Dagar endured difficult starts as both returned rounds of 2-over 75 to be tied 61st. Hitaashee Bakshi carded a 5-over 78 and was placed tied 99th.

Avani’s round was highlighted by a costly quadruple bogey on the second hole of her front nine, though she fought back with birdies on the same hole and the eighth later in the round. Diksha’s lone birdie came on the second hole, but consecutive bogeys on the fifth and sixth prevented her from finishing under par.

Hitaashee struggled early with five bogeys on the back nine before recovering slightly with late birdies on the eighth and ninth holes.

Japan’s Ayako Uehara, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, and England’s Hannah Screen were the only players among the top contenders to remain bogey-free during the opening round, as all three joined Pranavi in the group tied for second.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian-American Manav Shah has become the first Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) player to qualify for a Major since the IGPL was inaugurated last year in September, and will be making his appearance at the US Open in a few months.

The 33-year-old Indian-American, who has come close to winning on the IGPL, has been in great form this season with three Top-7 finishes and one at T-11 in four IGPL starts. He has also spent a few months playing on the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour.

It is turning out to be a great time for Indian-origin players as Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship for his maiden Major, and now Shah will make his debut in a Major. “To play a Major is just amazing, and I have had a great run at the AM Green IGPL, and now I get to the US Open,” said Shah.

Shah shot rounds of 66-71 to total 7-under to finish fourth in the 36-hole final qualifying tournament held at the Dallas Athletic Club. That earned him a spot in the 2026 U.S.

Shah finished the sectional qualifier in fourth place at 5-under after shooting 5-under 66 and even par 71 to earn one of the highly coveted spots in the major championship field.

It will be his maiden major championship appearance. The 2026 U.S. Open takes place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

The 33-year-old Manav Shah’s parents are of Indian origin, and he grew up in Bakersfield, California, playing on local public courses before playing collegiate golf for the UCLA Bruins. He graduated in 2015 with a degree in Political Science.

Shah has won eight professional titles globally. His most prominent victory came at the 2022 Quito Open on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, making him only the second Indian-American player to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. The first was Arjun Awal, who won the Wyndham Championship in 2010.

Shah, who now plays on the IGPL tour in India, earned full playing status on the Asian Tour through Q-School and recently played in the International Series.

The Dallas qualifier was won by Peter Uihlein (67-66) and Tom Kim (66-68_ was second. Cooper Dossey (65-70) was third.

Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell will play in the Major for the first time since 2020 after making it through 36 holes of final qualifying at Dallas Athletic Club. McDowell won the US Open in 2010, and he was one of nine to qualify for the Shinnecock Hills tournament from Dallas after shooting 69-69. McDowell also finished T2 at the 2012 US Open.

PGA Tour winner Tom Kim needed final qualifying to ensure his fifth US Open appearance. The South Korean was placed T8 in 2023.

While there was joy for the nine who qualified, for other notable names, there was disappointment at missing out. They included Sergio Garcia, who till 2025, had played in 25 consecutive US Opens. He narrowly missed out in the final qualifying a year ago, and he fell short again.

Source: IANS

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Pennsylvania, May 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Aaron Rai produced the defining moment of his career at the 2026 PGA Championship, sealing his maiden major crown with a sensational late flourish at Aronimink Golf Club.

The Englishman entered the closing stretch of Sunday’s final round with a narrow advantage, but it was his remarkable birdie putt on the par-3 17th that effectively settled the tournament. Facing a daunting 68-foot attempt with the pressure of a major title hanging over him, Rai rolled the putt in to spark huge celebrations from the galleries and move three shots clear of the chasing pack.

That moment gave the Wolverhampton-born golfer enough breathing room heading to the 18th, where a composed par finish secured both the championship and the iconic Wanamaker Trophy.

In doing so, Rai became the first English winner of the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes lifted the title more than a century ago in 1919.

Rai closed the week at nine-under-par, finishing three strokes ahead of a group tied for second place. Alex Smalley, who had held the overnight clubhouse lead after the third round, carded an even-par final round to end at six under alongside Jon Rahm, who posted a two-under 68 on Sunday.

Matti Schmid, who began the final day as Rai’s closest challenger, slipped back after the decisive stretch and eventually shared third place at five under with Ludvig Åberg and Justin Thomas.

For Rai, whose 2026 campaign had largely been filled with inconsistency and missed opportunities, the victory marked a dramatic turnaround on one of golf’s biggest stages.

“It’s very surreal. It’s been a frustrating season, so to be stood here is outside of my wildest imagination,” Rai said after the win.

The 31-year-old also reflected on the deeper lessons the sport has taught him throughout his journey to major success.

“Golf is an amazing game. It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility, discipline and absolute hard work, because nothing is ever given in this game. No matter what level you’re playing, no matter what course you’re playing on. It just teaches so many amazing life skills. Pretty much every guy on tour… are incredible people. The sport should be very proud of the ambassadors that represent the PGA Tour and the PGA of America,” he added.

Rai’s triumph at Aronimink now places him among golf’s newest major champions and caps one of the most memorable final-round performances of the season.

Source: IANS

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Hamburg, May 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian challenge got off to a difficult start at the Amundi German Masters in Hamburg, with young golfer Pranavi Urs emerging as the best-performing Indian after the opening round.

Competing at the demanding North Course of the Green Eagle Golf Courses in Germany, Pranavi carded a 3-over 76 on a day when scoring proved tough for much of the field. Her round included two birdies, three bogeys and a costly double bogey. Despite the setback, she remained the top Indian in the standings and will hope to improve over the next two rounds to stay in contention for the weekend.

Pranavi, who impressed at the Hero Women’s Indian Open last year with a top-10 finish, has been regarded as one of India’s promising golfers. However things were tough on the first day.

Fellow Indian Avani Prashanth also endured a challenging opening day. Avani returned with a score of 5-over 78, placing her outside the top 100 after the first round. Her card featured one birdie, two bogeys and two double bogeys, reflecting the inconsistency that troubled several players on the difficult course setup. Like Pranavi, Avani’s most notable recent performance came at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, where she displayed her potential against an international field.

Experienced Indian golfer Vani Kapoor had an even tougher outing, finishing with a score of 10-over 83. Her round included five bogeys, one double bogey and a triple bogey, leaving her near the bottom of the leaderboard. With the projected cut expected around 1-under-par, all three Indians now face an uphill task to avoid an early exit from the tournament.

While the Indian contingent struggled, the spotlight firmly belonged to the home players from Germany. Local favourite Leonie Harm delivered a flawless bogey-free round of 8-under 65 to set a new course record and take the lead after round one. Harm looked in complete control throughout the day, producing eight birdies in a stunning performance before home fans.

Close behind was fellow German star Esther Henseleit, who fired an impressive 7-under 66 to sit in second place. Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard and Germany’s Laura Fünfstück shared third place at 5-under-par, underlining the dominance of European players in the opening round.

For Indian golf followers, the focus will now shift to whether Pranavi, Avani and Vani can bounce back strongly in the second round and keep India’s hopes alive in Hamburg.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev, President of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), and Amandeep Johl, CEO of PGTI, called on Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and discussed how golf could contribute to Delhi’s ambition of becoming a world-class global city.

During the interaction, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor requested Kapil Dev’s support for the Government of Delhi’s vision and initiatives aimed at strengthening the capital’s global stature.

Kapil Dev conveyed that he would be glad to personally devote his time and support to any meaningful initiative that contributes to the growth, image, and international profile of Delhi. “Delhi already has a strong foundation for golf. I would be happy to contribute my time to any initiative that helps the capital grow in stature and build a stronger international identity through sport,” Kapil Dev said.

Kapil Dev presented a book on Sikh Gurdwaras, a book very dear to him, to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor during the meeting.

It was highlighted that Delhi already possesses the foundations for such a vision through iconic venues, including Delhi Golf Club, which hosts the prestigious India Championship featuring some of the best golfers in the world; Qutab Golf Course, where the PGTI Players Championship was successfully conducted; and the upcoming golf development at Dwarka, being planned by the Delhi Development Authority.

Amandeep Johl said, “Delhi is central to Indian golf’s growth story. With its established venues and upcoming facilities, the city has the platform to support a stronger calendar of professional golf events. DP World PGTI would be happy to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen this ecosystem.”

The meeting further explored how golf, tourism, major sporting events, hospitality, and international engagement could together add a strong sporting dimension to Delhi’s wider positioning as a premier global capital.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) serves as the official governing and sanctioning body for men’s professional golf in India and is a recognised member of the International Golf Federation and the ‘International Federation of PGA Tours’.

Source: IANS

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Hamburg, May 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Amundi German Masters is set to begin at the challenging Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg, Germany, with three Indian golfers eager to leave their mark on the Ladies European Tour (LET). Representing India this week are Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth, and Vani Kapoor, a combination of emerging talent and experienced campaigners aiming to perform strongly on one of the LET’s most demanding stages.

Over the years, the tournament has grown into a significant event on the women’s golfing calendar, providing Indian players another opportunity to prove themselves against a highly competitive international field.

Among the Indian contingent, Pranavi Urs will attract considerable attention because of her steady rise on the European circuit. The golfer from Mysuru has developed into one of India’s most promising talents through a series of consistent performances over the last two seasons. One of her standout achievements came at the Andalucía Open last year, where she secured an impressive tied-third finish. Pranavi also carries pleasant memories from Germany after finishing tied-24th at the 2024 edition.

The Green Eagle layout, famous for its length, narrow fairways, and thick rough, is expected to reward patience and precision, qualities that suit Pranavi’s calm and disciplined playing style.

Experienced professional Vani Kapoor will also be hoping to make a strong impact this week. One of the most successful players on the domestic Indian circuit, Vani has been striving to replicate that success on the international stage. She showed encouraging form during last year’s German Masters when she climbed into the top 10 after the second round following an excellent score of 70. Although consistency across four rounds has sometimes been a challenge, her experience could become an important advantage on a course where strategy and smart decision-making are essential. With a partial LET status, every good result is valuable for improving her rankings and earning more opportunities on the tour.

Young star Avani Prashanth is another exciting name to watch. The Bengaluru golfer turned professional after an outstanding amateur career, which included representing India at the Asian Games and becoming the first Indian amateur golfer to win on the LET Access Series.

Avani has already generated significant excitement among Indian golf fans. Although she had to withdraw from last year’s German Masters because of a dental problem after a promising opening round, she has since gained valuable experience competing in stronger international tournaments. If she begins confidently, she could emerge as a serious contender this week.

The tournament will also feature strong international names, including Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who returns to compete on home soil near Hamburg. Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby, already a two-time LET winner, will also be among the leading contenders at this year’s event.

Source: IANS

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Newton Square (USA), May 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) With four golfers of Indian origin competing together in a major championship for the first time, the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club promises to be one of the most exciting major championships in recent years, not only because of the strength of the field but also due to the historic presence of the four.

Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju will all tee off at Aronimink, bringing with them rising reputations and the possibility of producing a memorable surprise in the race for the Wanamaker Trophy.

The PGA Championship has been dominated by American winners over the last decade, with the United States claiming the title for ten consecutive years. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament once again as one of the strongest favourites after another dominant season.

However, Rory McIlroy, already the winner of the year’s first major, will also be among the leading contenders despite concerns over a minor injury. A victory for McIlroy would place him in elite company, making him only the fifth player since 1960 to win the first two majors of the season.

Among the Indian-origin quartet, Akshay Bhatia, who is supported by Hero MotoCorp, arrives with perhaps the strongest momentum. The 24-year-old American has continued his rapid rise on the PGA Tour and has established himself as one of golf’s brightest young talents.

His breakthrough victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this season marked his third PGA Tour title and confirmed his growing status among the elite players in the game. Strong performances at prestigious tournaments such as THE PLAYERS Championship, the RBC Heritage, and the Genesis Invitational have further strengthened his credentials.

Bhatia’s creative shot-making ability and increasingly reliable putting could prove especially valuable at Aronimink, a course expected to reward imagination and touch around the greens. Although he recently finished tied for 37th at the Truist Championship, his overall form throughout the season indicates that he could challenge seriously in his pursuit of a first major title.

Sahith Theegala, who has the same sponsor, Hero, as Bhatia, also enters the tournament with considerable promise. Known for his aggressive playing style and fearless approach, Theegala has quietly built a consistent season with several top-10 finishes, including impressive performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Farmers Insurance Open. His ability to make birdies in difficult situations and produce remarkable recovery shots has made him one of the most entertaining golfers on tour.

Theegala’s greatest strength lies in his confidence under pressure. When his putter performs well, he can completely transform the momentum of a tournament. However, occasional inconsistency off the tee remains a concern, especially on demanding championship courses. Despite a disappointing finish at the Truist Championship, Aronimink’s strategic layout could suit his creativity and shot-making skills better than many other venues.

Aaron Rai may not receive the same attention as Bhatia or Theegala, but the English golfer has steadily built a reputation as one of the most dependable players on tour. Rai’s game is built on precision, patience, and composure, qualities that are often crucial in major championships. His recent strong showing at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic highlighted his consistency and excellent ball-striking ability.

The challenging setup at Aronimink, with its restored bunkers and difficult green complexes, may perfectly suit Rai’s disciplined style. While he may not possess the explosive flair of some rivals, his steady approach could allow him to gradually climb the leaderboard and emerge as a surprise contender.

The most intriguing figure among the quartet is Sudarshan Yellamaraju, the Indian-born Canadian rookie who has rapidly become one of golf’s most fascinating stories. Yellamaraju secured his place in the PGA Championship field following an impressive tied-19th finish at the Truist Championship. Earlier in the year, he shocked the golfing world with a tied-fifth finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, a result that dramatically improved his world ranking.

Unlike many modern professionals, Yellamaraju developed much of his game without formal coaching, relying heavily on self-learning through online videos. His natural style, calm temperament, and fearless attitude have quickly earned admiration from fans and fellow players alike. Although this will be his first appearance in a major championship, his recent performances suggest he has the confidence and ability to compete with the very best.

With stars such as Scheffler, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, and Jordan Spieth all in the field, the competition at Aronimink will be intense. Yet the presence of four talented golfers of Indian origin adds a unique and historic dimension to the championship, and any one of them could emerge as the surprise story of the tournament.

Source: IANS

Golf: Four Indian-origin players in a packed field at the PGA Championship

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Asserting that Kashmir’s golf courses are among the finest in the country, Abdullah said that the government is planning more national-level golfing events to promote Kashmir as a premier golfing destination.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating the India Golf Carnival 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course here, he said Kashmir shares a long and historic association with golf and possesses world-class golfing infrastructure.

"Kashmir has a very old relationship with golf. If you look at the most beautiful golf courses in the country, Kashmir’s courses in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam can easily be counted among them,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government is focusing on encouraging local golfers while simultaneously using the sport to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"This tournament is another step towards promoting golf in Kashmir. We want to encourage our local golfers and also inspire a new generation of young players to take up the sport," he said.

Omar Abdullah said more than 100 golfers, including participants from different parts of the country, took part in the tournament, reflecting Kashmir’s growing attraction as a golfing destination.

He said golfers from outside Jammu and Kashmir have increasingly started visiting Srinagar during long weekends specifically to play golf, expressing hope that such sporting activities would further strengthen the tourism sector.

"In North India, whenever there is a long weekend, many golfers are now coming to Srinagar just to play golf. We hope tourism will definitely benefit from this trend," he said.

The Chief Minister further said the government, in coordination with tourism authorities and event organisers, is planning more such events in future to place Kashmir prominently on the national and global golfing map.

"Our aim is to organise as many events as possible so that both local golfers and golfers from outside Kashmir can come together and play here. We want to keep our golf courses at par with the best in the country," he added.

Source: IANS

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Kuala Lumpur, May 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pukhraj Singh Gill, who had been sharing the lead since the end of the first round, ultimately won the ADT Players Championship. He secured victory after a tense three-way playoff. Demonstrating courage, Gill overcame a two-shot deficit on the last two holes and clinched the win in the playoff at Saujana’s Palm Course.

Gill (72), representing Honer Homes Gurugram on the IGPL, scored 13-under, matching Thanawin Lee (68) and Sean Ramos (68). Gill needed two additional holes to clinch the title and claim a $19,250 prize at Saujana Golf and Country Club.

Gill's recent win strengthens his chances to contend for the ADT Order of Merit. He will next participate in the AM Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars at Mazagan Beach Golf Resort. After four events, Gill currently ranks third on the Order of Merit.

Kartik Singh, another Indian player who competed in the IGPL in 2025, recorded the lowest score of the day with a 65 and finished tied for 30th. Khalin Joshi, with a score of 77, was tied for 46th.

Gill secured his victory with a six-foot putt on the second playoff hole. As the ball vanished into the cup, he raised his hands and let out a triumphant roar.

He was quickly surrounded by his fellow Indian players, including Aman Raj and Aryan Roopa Anand, who were participating this week as well.

Gill said, “It took a long time coming. This feels surreal. I think it’s going to take a while to sink in, but I’m just so pumped right now. It’s been a great week in Malaysia. I was very happy with the course design, playing it for the first time – it just really suits my eye, I am glad I could play the game I did. I made it a lot more ‘interesting’ than I would have liked to towards the end.

It went into a play-off. And to have won after that I feel I am on cloud nine. It is going to take some time to sink in. But it is only onwards and upwards from here, A big thank you to all the people back in India, I am so grateful for all your messages and support. I can’t wait to get back to party and celebrate.”

“I wish to thank IGPL for providing us a great Tour back home and to my team Honer Homes Gurugram for whom I play on the IGPL.”

Gill secured his first international title shortly after winning his debut professional title on the 2025 IGPL Tour. He was tied for the lead after the first round, alone at the top by two strokes after the second, and maintained a one-shot lead after the third round.

Entering the final round with a one-shot lead over Ramos, Gill opened strongly, making three birdies in his first four holes to stretch his lead to five shots. However, dropped shots on the sixth and ninth holes, along with excellent play by Ramos and Lee, reduced his lead to just one.

The tense contest carried on into the final stretch. Lee took the lead with a four-foot birdie at the par-three 12th, while Gill responded with his own birdie at the par-five 13th after reaching the green in two. The Indian player then made three consecutive bogeys starting from Hole 14, but neither Lee nor Ramos was able to pull ahead.

Gill again utilized his length at the dogleg-left 17th hole, launching a powerful drive over the green and nearly making an eagle. The three players reached the 18th hole, a par-five, with Lee leading by one stroke at 14-under-par. It appeared Lee was certain to win when his third shot landed just off the green, but a poor chip and a missed 10-foot putt for par resulted in a final round of 68. Gill (72) and Ramos (71) both made par on the 18th to tie with Lee and force a playoff.

The playoff on the 18th hole featured Gill and Ramos making birdies from 10 and three feet respectively on the first extra hole, while Lee was eliminated after his third shot landed in a bunker. The Indian player then clinched victory with an excellent birdie on the second sudden-death playoff hole, hitting his third shot from a greenside bunker to six feet and sinking the putt. Ramos, on the other hand, missed a lengthy par putt after driving into the left rough and pushing his second shot right, which ended up behind two palm trees.

Gill is the second IGPL player to achieve success on the Asian Development Tour, following Karandeep Kochhar, who previously won an ADT event in Egypt.

Source: IANS

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Kuala Lumpur, May 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s Pukhraj Singh Gill stayed on the top of the leaderboard despite a mid-round wobble when he dropped three shots in a space of three holes at the Players Championship. The Indian ace, who plays on the Indian Premier Golf League (IGPL), carded 2-under 70 and moved to 13-under and held a one-shot lead over Filipino Sean Ramos (67), who is 12-under.

Thanawin Lee of Thailand (73) was third at 9-under. Of the other Indians, Khalin Joshi (71) was T-33, while young Kartik Singh, who played on the IGPL in 2025, slipped from inside the Top-10 to T-56 with a disappointing round of 81. Aman Raj, Aryan Roopa Anand, and Varun Parikh, all of whom play on the IGPL, missed the cut.

Gill, a long hitter of the tee, won once on the IGPL last year, and this season he plays for Honer Homes Gurugram in the team competition, which was introduced alongside the tour.

Gill started superbly with an eagle two on Par-4 fourth and added birdies on the sixth and the eighth to move to 15-under and held a three-shot lead at one stage. Then he bogeyed the ninth and double bogeyed the 11th. He recovered with a string of pars and birdied the 17th to shoot 70 and reached 13-under.

Last year, apart from one win, Gill contended multiple times, and his consistency saw him take the Order of Merit. He earned a spot in the International Series Singapore, where he was Tied-26th. “That Singapore experience helped me a lot, and I am very confident as the season progresses,” said Gill, who hails from Ludhiana in Punjab.

Earlier, Gill played 25 holes on the second day and produced superb golf to move into the pole position for a maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory.

After finishing seven holes from the first round, the 29-year-old winner, who won the Order of Merit on the IGPL Tour in India, is holding the 36-hole clubhouse lead at 11-under-par 133 at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Malaysia.

Resuming his first round, he moved from 4-under to 6-under as the co-leader of the first round, which was cut short by yesterday’s two and a half hour thunderstorm delay.

Source: IANS

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Charlotte, May 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Akshay Bhatia produced a confident and composed performance in the opening round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, finishing tied for 13th after posting a 3-under 68. Weather interruptions affected the first day’s play, but Bhatia managed to stay focused and deliver one of the cleaner rounds in the field.

Starting from the back nine, the Indian-American golfer kept his card spotless with no bogeys throughout the round. He picked up three birdies, showing excellent control with his approach shots and putting. Bhatia’s birdies came on the second, 15th, and 18th holes, helping him remain within touching distance of the leaders. His iron game stood out as one of the strongest aspects of his performance, with him ranking second in Greens in Regulation statistics after the opening day.

Fellow Indian-American Sahith Theegala was also in action and sat tied for 30th at 1-under par when play was suspended because of adverse weather conditions. Theegala had completed 15 holes and still had three left to finish his first round.

Theegala began positively with an early birdie on the third hole but lost momentum with back-to-back bogeys on the eighth and ninth. However, he recovered impressively on the back nine with birdies on the 10th and 12th holes before heavy rain forced officials to suspend play for the day.

Meanwhile, Sudarshan Yellamaraju carded an even-par 71 to be placed tied for 33rd. Beginning his round on the back nine, he mixed two birdies with two bogeys in a steady performance.

American golfer Matt McCarty emerged as the clubhouse leader after firing a sensational 8-under 63. His round featured nine birdies and just one bogey as he adapted brilliantly to the challenging conditions.

McCarty made a fast start on the back nine with five birdies before adding more gains on the front side. A brief setback with a bogey on the sixth hole did little to slow him down as he closed strongly with three consecutive birdies.

Sungjae Im was close behind at 7-under through 17 holes before play was halted. He had earlier raced through the opening stretch with five birdies in his first six holes.

Rory McIlroy returned to competition after a short break and posted a steady 1-under 70. The reigning Masters champion recorded 17 straight pars before finally birdieing his last hole to move into a tie for 30th place.

Matt Fitzpatrick struggled with a 3-over 74, while his brother Alex Fitzpatrick impressed with a 67 that placed him inside the top 10. Cameron Young and Tommy Fleetwood also stayed in contention after strong opening rounds despite the weather disruptions.

Source: IANS

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Charlotte (USA), May 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) As the PGA Tour heads to North Carolina for one of its premier Signature events, attention turns to a group of rising Indian-origin golfers aiming to regain rhythm and make a strong impression. With several high-profile names returning and others absent, the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club promises a compelling mix of storylines.

Akshay Bhatia, the only Indian-origin winner on the PGA Tour this season, headlines the trio alongside Sahith Theegala and Sudarshan Yellamaraju. All three have demonstrated encouraging progress in recent weeks and will look to capitalize on that form.

Theegala, in particular, has been consistent, registering four top-10 finishes this season, including a notable tie for sixth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His regular presence in Signature events highlights his growing stature on Tour.

Bhatia’s season began on a high note with a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but a dip followed as he missed cuts in back-to-back events, including the Hero Indian Open and the Masters. He now arrives at Quail Hollow determined to rediscover his earlier momentum.

Meanwhile, Yellamaraju, the Indo-Canadian golfer, has quietly impressed with two top-10 finishes this year, including a solid showing at The Players Championship.

The field also features several in-form international players. Cameron Young has been one of the standout performers, already securing two victories this season, including the recent Cadillac Championship. His consistent results, including a top-three finish at the Masters, make him a strong contender yet again. He also won the PLAYERS.

Another player drawing attention is Matt Fitzpatrick, who has enjoyed a remarkable run with three wins in his last four starts. One of those victories came alongside his brother Alex Fitzpatrick at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The Fitzpatrick brothers have made history this year, becoming the first siblings to win tournaments on different tours in consecutive weeks. Matt’s triumphs also include the RBC Heritage and Valspar Championship, underlining his exceptional form.

Alex Fitzpatrick has also made strides, earning his PGA Tour card with the Zurich Classic win and following it up with a top-10 finish at the Cadillac Championship in his first start since qualifying.

Notably absent from this week’s line-up are world number one Scottie Scheffler and Indo-British golfer Aaron Rai. While Scheffler has opted for rest, Rai will compete at Myrtle Beach after missing qualification for this Signature event.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Golf Union (IGU) will send a three-member Indian team to compete in the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup next month at the Sentul Highlands Golf Club in Bogor, Indonesia. The event is scheduled from May 12 to 15.

The team will be led by 2025 Ladies Order of Merit champion Guntas Kaur Sandhu, who has been consistent in 2026 as well. The other members of the team are Haryana's Ceerat Kang and Keya Badugu of Delhi. Vandana Aggarwal will be accompanying the team as manager.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in association with The R&A (world golf rules governing body), a total of 15 countries including defending champions South Korea will be competing in the tournament – Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

2025 Ladies Order of Merit champion Guntas, who has been consistent in 2026 as well, has six wins under her belt and 17 top-10 finishes from 20 starts in the 2025-26 IGU season. She recently won the Ladies and Combined A&B category titles of the IGU West Bengal Ladies & Junior Girls Championship in April.

Guntas expressed her excitement about competing in the prestigious tournament, saying, "Representing the country is a huge honour. The Queen Sirikit Cup is a prestigious team event in amateur golf. It is a major event in my career as it gives me international exposure and opportunity to compete with the best players, work harder, stay focused and enhance my game. IGU has been extremely supportive in helping me improve my game."

The Queen Sirikit Cup, officially known as the Amateur Ladies Asia-Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championship and named after Thailand’s erstwhile queen, was inaugurated in 1979 and India has competed in this tournament ever since the inaugural edition that featured nine nations.

In 2023, Avani Prashanth won the individual title in the Queen Sirikit Cup, ending a 43-year title drought. "Avani Prashanth’s victory in 2023 is a big source of inspiration for me. Watching an Indian golfer achieve success at international stage gives me motivation and the belief that I can do it too,” the 15-year-old said.

Played over 54 holes, the event is made up of teams of three players with the best two daily scores being counted. The winning team receives an exemption into The R&A Girls Amateur.

Ceerat said that such events help her get out of her ‘comfort zone’ and express herself on different layouts. “I am excited to be participating in the Queen Sirikit Cup. It is something I have always looked forward to. It really helps me come out of my comfort zone in different conditions, different courses and against the best international players. I would like to thank the IGU as they have guided me throughout my golfing journey and helped me improve my game,” said the 19-year-old.

Terming the event a ‘special’ one in her career, Keya, 19, said, “It is the second time I am travelling with the Indian team. It is a special feeling to wear the Indian blazer and represent your country as a team in an event which has a rich history. I am really grateful to IGU for sending me to these international trips and giving me the necessary exposure to different events and conditions.”

The Queen Sirikit Cup has been the launchpad for many top international professional golfers like Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Sarah Kemp, Fiona Xu, Atthaya Thitikul, Seo Kyo-rim, Anna Parsons, among others.

Source: IANS

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Port Louis, May 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) A promising start turned into a challenging finish for the Indian contingent as they slipped down the leaderboard in the final round of the 2026 MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius. Despite strong performances in the opening days, the trio could not maintain momentum on Day 3.

Diksha Dagar, who began confidently with rounds of 68 and 69, faltered with a 74 in the final round to finish tied 21st. Her round included a lone birdie on the ninth, but dropped shots on the first, 10th, and 15th holes cost her a higher finish.

Tvesa Malik also experienced a dip in form. After carding 70 and 71 in the earlier rounds, she posted a 73 to end tied 38th. Hitaashee Bakshi, who had impressed with rounds of 71 and 69, struggled the most on the final day, shooting a 76 and slipping to tied 58th.

While the Indian players faced setbacks, Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby delivered a composed performance to secure her second Ladies European Tour title. She emerged as the inaugural champion of the MCB Ladies Classic with a dramatic birdie on the final hole at the Legend Course, Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Soenderby finished the tournament at 14-under-par after a final-round 67. Her round began steadily with three pars, followed by a bogey on the fourth. She quickly recovered, producing an eagle on the sixth hole and adding birdies on the ninth and 10th to climb into contention.

Maintaining her composure on the back nine, she added another birdie on the 13th, briefly stumbled with a bogey on the 14th, but responded strongly with birdies on the 15th and the decisive 18th. Her final putt sealed a memorable victory, with her mother Kirsten serving as her caddie.

Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjäll delivered an impressive bogey-free 66 to set the clubhouse target at 13-under-par, eventually sharing second place with South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, who matched the score after a strong finish featuring a birdie on the 16th and an eagle on the last hole.

Italy’s Anna Zanusso produced one of the standout rounds of the tournament, firing a flawless 63—the lowest round recorded on the course—to claim solo fourth place. A group of five players, including Alice Hewson, Agathe Laisne, Kirsten Rudgeley, Alexandra Forsterling, and Celina Sattelkau, finished tied for fifth at 10-under-par.

The Ladies European Tour will now pause for a week before resuming with the Amundi German Masters in Hamburg from May 14–17.

Source: IANS

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Doral (Florida), May 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sahith Theegala ended his week on a high note with a brilliant closing performance, climbing the leaderboard and regaining confidence despite an otherwise inconsistent outing at the Cadillac Championship.

While Theegala’s late push drew attention, it was Cameron Young who delivered a commanding performance from start to finish, securing a convincing victory.

Theegala carded a flawless 8-under 64 in the final round, matching his best score of the season. After opening with a steady 69, he struggled in the middle rounds with scores of 76 and 74, which pushed him down the standings.

However, his strong finish propelled him up 33 spots to a tie for 30th place. The round not only improved his position but also offered a much-needed boost as he continues working his way back toward the top tier of world rankings.

Starting on the back nine, Theegala picked up early momentum with birdies on the 12th and 16th holes. He found the rhythm on the front nine, which was his second nine, where he added six birdies. He birdied the first, second and the fifth and then added an impressive stretch of three consecutive gains to close his round. The bogey-free effort highlighted his potential when in full control.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju also made a notable move, finishing alongside Theegala at tied-30th after a clean round of 68 that included four birdies and no dropped shots.

Meanwhile, Akshay Bhatia experienced a mixed day. Despite recording an eagle on the par-4 16th and adding four birdies, two double bogeys and three other bogeys resulted in a 1-over 73, dropping him to tied-23rd after starting the day inside the top 10.

At the top of the leaderboard, Cameron Young showcased consistency and composure throughout the tournament. Even after calling a one-stroke penalty on himself early in the final round, he remained unfazed.

His closing 4-under 68 brought him to 19-under for the week, giving him a comfortable six-shot victory. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished second once again, marking his third consecutive runner-up result.

The tournament conditions were impacted by early morning rain, which softened the notoriously challenging Blue Monster course and led to a delayed start. Preferred lies were in effect, making scoring slightly easier than usual.

Elsewhere, Ben Griffin secured third place, while Si Woo Kim, Sepp Straka, and Adam Scott shared fourth. Scott’s strong weekend performance may have helped him secure a place in the upcoming U.S. Open, potentially marking his 100th consecutive appearance in a major championship.

Source: IANS

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Port Louis (Mauritius), May 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s Diksha Dagar delivered an impressive performance to remain firmly in contention at the MCB Ladies Classic – Mauritius, showcasing consistency and composure across the opening rounds.

Dagar, a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour (LET), followed her opening round of 68 with a flawless 3-under 69 to reach a total of 7-under-par after two rounds.

Her bogey-free effort placed her in a tie for fourth position, just two strokes behind the joint leaders—Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby, Germany’s Celina Sattelkau, and South Africa’s Casandra Alexander—who each stood at 9-under-par.

Out of the four Indian golfers competing this week, three successfully progressed beyond the cut. Alongside Dagar, Hitaashee Bakshi and Tvesa Malik secured their spots in the final round. Bakshi, with rounds of 71 and 69, was tied 19th position, while Malik, who carded 70 and 71, was placed tied 26th. However, Vani Kapoor was unable to advance after rounds of 78 and 77.

Dagar’s recent form indicates a steady return to peak performance. After finishing tied 37th at the Women’s South African Open and missing two prior cuts, she appears to be regaining rhythm just in time for the upcoming Hero Women’s Indian Open.

Her second round featured birdies on the sixth, 10th, and 12th holes, highlighting her control and precision.

Bakshi’s round included five birdies, with an impressive streak of three consecutive birdies early in her round. Despite this strong showing, she dropped shots on the 12th and 13th holes, which slightly impacted her overall standing.

Malik, competing through her Sunshine Ladies Tour membership, managed three birdies but conceded two bogeys during her round.

Among the leaders, Soenderby started strongly, going 6-under through the front nine, but encountered difficulties on the back nine, finishing with a 69.

Sattelkau built on her first-round 68 with an excellent 67, recording five birdies. Meanwhile, Alexander also carded a 67, offsetting a double bogey with seven birdies to join the top spot.

The competition remains intense, with a tightly packed leaderboard. Seven players, including Dagar, are just two shots behind the leaders at 7-under-par.

A total of 75 players made the cut at +1, and notably, 18 golfers are within four shots of the lead heading into the final round.

With everything to play for, the stage is set for a thrilling finish in Mauritius as Dagar and her peers aim to close the gap and challenge for the title.

Source: IANS

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Miami, May 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Akshay Bhatia delivered a confident display on the third day of the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami, dramatically improving his position on the leaderboard.

Known as “moving day” in golf, the third round proved exactly that for Bhatia, as he climbed into the top 10 with one of the more eye-catching rounds of the tournament so far.

Bhatia carded a brilliant five-under-par 67, highlighted by four birdies and a stunning eagle. Despite dropping a single shot, his aggressive yet controlled approach paid off, allowing him to leap 18 spots—from tied 26th to tied 8th.

With a cumulative score of seven-under-par after three rounds, Bhatia is now well placed for a op-10 and another strong finish this season, having already secured a victory earlier in the year.

His round gained momentum early, with birdies on the third, fifth, eighth, and tenth holes. The highlight came at the par-5 12th, where he sank an eagle to briefly reach six-under for the day.

However, a missed par opportunity on the same hole resulted in a bogey, slightly halting his surge and pushing him just outside the top five. Even so, his overall performance showcased both skill and resilience, keeping him within striking distance heading into the final round.

While Bhatia’s rise was one of the standout stories of the day, Cameron Young continues to dominate the tournament. Young maintained his composure with a steady two-under-par 70, extending his total score to an impressive 15-under-par. This gives him a commanding six-shot lead over a competitive chasing pack that includes World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler himself posted a solid three-under-par 69, bringing his total to nine-under-par. However, he was unable to significantly close the gap on Young. Joining Scheffler at that score are Si Woo Kim and Kristoffer Reitan, both of whom remain within reach but will need exceptional final rounds to challenge for the title.

Among other players of Indian origin, Sudarshan Yellamaraju sits tied for 37th after a round of 75, while Sahith Theegala, who like Bhatia is backed by Hero, slipped to tied 63rd following a 74. Both players will be looking to improve their standings on the final day.

As the tournament heads into its final round, weather conditions could play a crucial role. Forecasts suggest possible rain, which may add an extra layer of difficulty and unpredictability to the course. For Bhatia, maintaining the confidence and rhythm from his third round will be essential if he hopes to climb further up the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Young’s substantial lead places him in a strong position, but recent history suggests nothing is guaranteed. He previously held a similar position at the Masters before finishing tied for third, indicating that pressure in the final round can shift outcomes dramatically. With top players in pursuit and challenging conditions expected, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion at Doral.

Source: IANS

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Belek (Antalya), May 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Yuvraj Sandhu played a steady round of 1-under 71 and was inside the Top-10 at the halfway stage of the Turkish Open on the DP World Tour title in Turkey.

Also making the cut was Shubhankar Sharma, despite a nightmarish finish as he dropped five shots in a span of five holes between the 13th and the 17th with three bogeys and a double bogey. He shot 3-over 75 and was now 1-over and tied 57th. He had four birdies and two bogeys before that, and he is now Tied-57th, after sneaking inside the cut line, which fell at exactly 1-over.

Sandhu, playing his first season on the DP World Tour, birdied the fourth, eighth, 11th, and 14th while dropping shots on the seventh, 13th, and 17th.

Gregorio De Leo will take a one-shot lead into the weekend as the Italian, playing in the morning, carded five birdies and just one bogey in his second round 68 to set the clubhouse target at seven under at National Golf Club.

The 26-year-old was briefly joined at that mark by afternoon starters Alejandro Del Rey and Jens Dantorp, but they both fell back into a tie for second alongside Kazuma Kobori and Sam Bairstow on six under.

De Leo secured his first 36-hole lead on the DP World Tour and is now chasing a maiden win after regaining his playing privileges at Qualifying School after a rookie campaign that featured two top-five finishes.

First-round leader Mikael Lindberg sits at five under in solo sixth after a second round 73, while defending champion Martin Couvra was among those to make the cut on the number at one over.

Source: IANS

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Doral (USA), May 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Akshay Bhatia slipped down the leaderboard after a costly double bogey on his final hole, finishing the second round of the Cadillac Championship tied for 26th place in the PGA Tour event. Meanwhile, Sudarshan Yellamaraju carded a 66 but dropped late shots to settle for tied 16th, despite being well on course for a top-five finish earlier in the day.

Sahith Theegala also endured a tough round, recording a double-bogey on the eighth along with bogeys on the third, ninth, and 18th. His 76 left him tied for 48th, managing just one birdie against multiple setbacks. The closing stretch, particularly the 18th, proved challenging for many players. Bhatia, like Theegala, backed by Hero, had an up-and-down round featuring six birdies, four bogeys, and a double bogey to finish at even-par 72.

Yellamaraju was in excellent form early, reaching 9-under through 16 holes before stumbling with a three-shot drop over the final two holes, including a double bogey on the 17th. He ended the day at 4-under overall, having taken advantage of calm morning conditions before faltering late.

Cameron Young maintained his stronghold at the top, carding a 5-under 67 to reach 13-under and carry a five-shot lead into the weekend at the $20 million Signature Event at Trump National Doral. His only blemish came with a bogey on the par-4 14th.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing alongside Young, also shot a bogey-free 67 but remained seven shots behind in tied sixth. Nick Taylor (70), Alex Smalley (71), and Jordan Spieth (71) were tied for second, while Gary Woodland (69) sat alone in fifth at 7-under. A group including Alex Fitzpatrick followed at 6-under.

Spieth produced one of the rare highlights on the demanding 18th hole, sinking a birdie—just the sixth recorded there over the first two rounds on the challenging Blue Monster course.

Source: IANS

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Belek (Turkey), May 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Yuvraj Sandhu made an impressive start to his campaign at the Turkish Open in Antalya, delivering one of his strongest opening rounds on the DP World Tour. The debutant carded a 3-under 69, placing him comfortably inside the top 10 after the first day.

Fellow Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma also performed steadily, returning a 2-under 70 to sit in a tie for the 22nd position.

Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg emerged as the early leader with a flawless, bogey-free round of 66, giving him a one-shot advantage. Although he began his back nine at just one under par, Lindberg surged ahead with an impressive late run, collecting four birdies over his final six holes to climb to six under at the National Golf Club.

Sandhu’s round had its ups and downs. Starting on the 10th hole, he began positively with a birdie on the 12th but faltered briefly with consecutive bogeys on the 13th and 14th, turning in one over par. However, he showed resilience on his second nine, firing four birdies on the first, fourth, fifth, and eighth holes to finish strongly at three under.

Sharma’s round featured a mix of highlights and setbacks, including three birdies, an eagle, and three bogeys. Meanwhile, Lindberg’s momentum built steadily after his first birdie on the 18th, followed by gains on key holes, including the par-five first and fourth, before finishing with two more birdies to secure the lead.

Lindberg entered the tournament in strong form, having secured a career-best third-place finish at the Volvo China Open, which elevated him to eighth in the Asian Swing Rankings. He is now aiming to finish among the top three to qualify for the upcoming U.S. PGA Championship, adding further significance to his strong start.

Source: IANS

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Port Louis (Mauritius), May 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) A moment of brilliance lit up the opening day of the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius, as India’s Diksha Dagar delivered a memorable hole-in-one to set the tone for an impressive start. Her confident performance placed her among the early contenders, highlighting her intent to secure a breakthrough win this season.

Diksha carded a solid 4-under 68 in the first round at Constance Belle Mare Plage, putting herself in tied-fourth position. Beginning her round on the back nine, she wasted little time making an impact, sinking a spectacular ace on the par-3 11th. She followed it up with birdies on the 15th and 18th to make the turn at four-under. Despite a bogey on the fifth hole later, she recovered with a birdie on the ninth to close strongly.

Among the other Indian players, Tvesa Malik posted a steady 2-under 70 to sit tied-20th. Her round featured three birdies on the front nine, though a double bogey on the ninth slowed her momentum. She regained control on the back nine with additional birdies on the 15th and 17th.

Hitaashee Bakshi finished with a 1-under 71, placing her tied-30th, while Vani Kapoor struggled with a 78 and faces a tough challenge to make the cut.

The Indians, led by Diksha and Tvesa, have an eye on their home event, the Indian Open, later this year.

At the top of the leaderboard, France’s Agathe Laisné delivered a commanding performance with an 8-under 64, setting the pace on the opening day. She showcased remarkable consistency, racking up ten birdies to continue her strong run of form this season. Close behind her is South Africa’s Cara Gorlei, who fired a 7-under 65, highlighted by two eagles. Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby holds third place with a 6-under 66.

With several players tied at four-under, including Diksha, the competition remains tightly packed heading into the second round. The next phase begins early, with only the top 60 players and ties advancing beyond the cut, setting the stage for an intense battle over the coming days.

Source: IANS

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Miami (USA), May 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sahith Theegala delivered a strong opening round to position himself inside the top 10 at the Cadillac Championship, while Akshay Bhatia also made an encouraging start at Trump National Doral’s demanding 'Blue Monster' course.

Theegala fired a 3-under 69 to finish tied-ninth after round one, four shots behind leader Cameron Young, who set the pace with a flawless 8-under 64 at the $20 million event. Bhatia carded a 2-under 70 to be tied-15th, while Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju opened with a 74 to sit tied-52nd.

Theegala began aggressively, picking up three birdies within his first five holes to quickly climb the leaderboard. Although his momentum slowed mid-round, he maintained composure to stay under par. His card included birdies on the par-4 second, par-3 third, and par-4 fifth, followed later by gains on the par-5 10th and par-3 15th.

Dropped shots on the 11th and 13th holes prevented a lower score, but the 69 keeps him firmly in contention as he looks for his first win of the season, having already recorded four top-10 finishes this year.

Bhatia, meanwhile, appeared set for a top-10 position before a costly mistake on the final hole. Standing at 3-under through 17 holes, he found water off the tee on the 18th, leading to a bogey that pushed him back into a tie for 15th.

At the top of the leaderboard, Young produced a bogey-free round highlighted by precise iron play and a hot putter, rolling in several lengthy birdie putts. He holds a one-shot advantage over Jordan Spieth and Alex Smalley, both at 7-under. Spieth’s round featured an eagle on the par-5 eighth, offsetting a couple of back-nine bogeys.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had a mixed day, starting brightly with three early birdies before slipping back with consecutive bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes to finish at 1-under.

Canada’s Nick Taylor sits fourth at 6-under 66, while Nico Echavarria, a winner earlier this season at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, opened with a 67. Gary Woodland is also within striking distance after a 68.

Theegala will tee off his second round on Friday alongside Taylor Pendrith as he aims to build on a promising start.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh expressed shock and grief over the untimely demise of fellow golfer Vijay Kumar, remembering him as not only a champion on the course but also “an amazing human being” who always respected his opponents, calling his passing a “huge loss to Indian golf.”

Vijay Kumar, one of India’s most accomplished professional golfers, died on Tuesday in his hometown, Lucknow, following a heart attack. A winner of the 2002 Indian Open and a four-time Order of Merit champion, he was widely regarded as a pioneer of Indian professional golf and a key figure in its growth during the 1990s and early 2000s.

"It was shocking to hear about Vijay Kumar’s untimely death. A champion golfer indeed, but one who was also an amazing human being. It was so much fun battling him on the golf course. Win or lose, he’d always respect his opponents. A huge loss to Indian golf," Jeev Milkha Singh posted on X.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) confirmed the news via social media on Wednesday and condoled the demise of a tiem-time Order of Merit winner.

Born in Lucknow on December 29, 1968, Vijay turned professional in 1988. He dominated Indian domestic golf from the mid-1990s to the early part of the next decade with an illustrious career marked by numerous titles. He emerged Order of Merit champion on the Indian professional circuit on as many as four occasions ( 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000).

His crowning glory was the 2002 Indian Open triumph at the Delhi Golf Club. Vijay also represented India at the Alfred Dunhill Cup 1999 played at St. Andrews in Scotland.

He is one of only seven Indians to have won the Indian Open title. The Lucknow golfer was the joint runner-up at the 2006 Indian Open.

Known not only for his skill and consistency but also for his sportsmanship and cheerful personality, Vijay Kumar leaves behind a rich legacy that inspired generations of golfers across the country. He was survived by his wife and family, with the Indian golfing fraternity mourning the loss of one of its most respected figures.

Source: IANS

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Miami (Florida), April 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The spotlight this week at the Cadillac Championship could be on a rising group of Indian-origin golfers, with Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju all teeing it up at the iconic Trump National Doral Golf Club. Bhatia has won this; Theegala and Yellamaraju have closed, and this week could see them make a surprise move.

Theegala, in particular, has been a model of consistency this season. Though still chasing his first win of 2026, he has already secured four top-10 finishes in 11 starts, including a recent strong showing. His attacking approach and deft short game make him especially suited to the challenges posed at Doral.

Close behind is Bhatia, whose rapid rise on the PGA TOUR has turned heads. Already a winner this season, he has demonstrated composure under pressure and an ability to go low in elite fields. His fluid swing and fearless mindset position him as a genuine threat this week.

Adding further depth is Yellamaraju, another Indian-origin player in the field, underlining the growing global footprint of golfers with Indian roots on the international stage.

The absence of reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy opens up the field, leaving World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the leading favourite. Scheffler arrives in strong form after consecutive runner-up finishes at the Masters and the RBC Heritage. He headlines a marquee grouping alongside world No. 4 Cameron Young, who recently claimed victory at The Players Championship.

This $20 million Signature Event—the fifth of the 2026 PGA TOUR season—features a no-cut format and a stacked field, ensuring high-intensity competition throughout the week in South Florida.

Elsewhere, European Ryder Cup teammates Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood will look to rediscover top form. Hovland has been consistent without breaking into the top tier recently, while Fleetwood seeks to bounce back after a dip following a strong start to the year.

Another pairing to watch includes Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama, with Gotterup enjoying a standout season marked by multiple victories.

With emerging Indian-origin talent leading the narrative and a wide-open field behind them, this year’s Cadillac Championship promises both intrigue and opportunity on one of golf’s most demanding stages.

Source: IANS

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Port Louis (Mauritius), April 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) India will have a strong four-player presence at the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic Mauritius, with Diksha Dagar leading the charge alongside Tvesa Malik, Vani Kapoor, and Hitaashee Bakshi at the scenic Legends Course.

Vani Kapoor arrives with recent experience of playing in Mauritius, having featured in the IGPL Invitation at the Anahita Course. Meanwhile, fellow LET regulars Pranavi Urs and Avani Prashanth have opted to skip the event to take a short break.

Diksha, who has set her sights on clinching the Hero Women’s Indian Open this season, will begin her campaign early at 7:20 am in the company of Alessandra Fanali and Alexandra Försterling. Hitaashee Bakshi is paired with Lianna Bailey and Gabriella Cowley for the opening two rounds.

Tvesa Malik, aiming to make a strong push to regain her tour card, is grouped with Lilly May Humphreys and Bobbi Brown. Vani Kapoor will tee off alongside Corrine Viden and Chloe Williams in her opening round.

All eyes will also be on England’s Esme Hamilton, fresh off her maiden LET victory at the Investec SA Women’s Open. Carrying strong momentum, Hamilton has travelled directly to Mauritius and will look to build on her success. She has climbed to fourth in the LET Order of Merit and is eager to maintain her impressive form.

The tournament features a competitive field of 120 players contesting a 54-hole stroke play event at the Constance Belle Mare Plage’s Legends Course, known for its narrow fairways and challenging greens.

Hamilton will begin her title bid at 7:40 am local time, playing alongside Agathe Laisné of France and Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall.

Source: IANS

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Raipur, April 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), met Subodh Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, to discuss opportunities for the development and promotion of golf in the state.

A key focus of the discussions was the development of international-standard golf courses in Naya Raipur and the potential to host a world-class tournament on the DP World Tour in the future, thereby placing the region firmly on the global golfing map.

Also present during the meeting were Shri Ankit Anand, IAS, Chairman, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (NRDA), and Shri Rajat Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Chhattisgarh.

The discussions focused on the long-term potential of developing golf infrastructure and strengthening the ecosystem for the sport in Chhattisgarh. Deliberations included the possibilities of creating world-class golfing facilities, promoting sports tourism, encouraging youth participation, and positioning the state as an emerging destination for golf and allied economic activities.

The successful staging of the SECL Chhattisgarh Open highlighted Nava Raipur’s emergence as an important venue on the Indian professional golf circuit and reflected the growing spread of the sport beyond its traditional centres. The meeting also discussed avenues for developing new golf courses and related infrastructure in the state, which could help enhance sports tourism, generate employment, support hospitality and allied sectors, and position Chhattisgarh as a future destination for professional golf.

Amandeep Johl briefed the officials on the growing profile of professional golf in India, the expansion of the DP World PGTI calendar, and the opportunities that golf can generate in areas such as tourism, hospitality, employment, and international sporting engagement.

The meeting also explored avenues for collaboration between the state government and DP World PGTI to promote golf development initiatives and future events in Chhattisgarh.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, April 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev paid tribute to legendary golfer Vijay Kumar, who passed away at the age of 57, describing him as a role model whose contribution to the sport will be remembered for generations.

Vijay Kumar, one of India’s most accomplished professional golfers, died on Tuesday in his hometown, Lucknow, following a heart attack. A winner of the 2002 Indian Open and a four-time Order of Merit champion, he was widely regarded as a pioneer of Indian professional golf and a key figure in its growth during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Remembering his legacy, Kapil Dev, who is also the President of the Professional Golf Tour of India, highlighted both his achievements and his influence beyond the course.

“Vijay Kumar ji was one of the true stalwarts of Indian golf. His achievements, humility, and commitment to the sport made him a role model for generations of golfers. His passing is a great loss to Indian golf, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” he said.

Born on September 29, 1968, in Lucknow, Vijay turned professional in 1988 and went on to dominate domestic golf for over a decade. His landmark victory at the 2002 Indian Open remains one of the defining moments of his career, placing him among a select group of Indian winners of the prestigious title. He also represented India at the 1999 Alfred Dunhill Cup in St Andrews, Scotland.

PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl also paid tribute, recalling Vijay’s achievements and his lasting impact on the sport, as he said, “Vijay Kumar was among the finest professionals Indian golf has seen. His victory at the 2002 Indian Open and his four Order of Merit titles will always be remembered as part of our sport’s proud history. He contributed immensely to the growth of professional golf in India and will continue to inspire players for years to come.”

Known not only for his skill and consistency but also for his sportsmanship and cheerful personality, Vijay Kumar leaves behind a rich legacy that inspired generations of golfers across the country. He is survived by his wife and family, with the Indian golfing fraternity mourning the loss of one of its most respected figures.

Source: IANS

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Cape Town, April 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The final day in Cape Town brought challenging conditions and shifting fortunes as Pranavi Urs emerged as the leading Indian performer at T-24th SA Women’s Open. Diksha Dagar was T-37 and Avani Prashanth ended T-57.

Pranavi signed off with a steady 1-under 72, finishing as the top Indian at T-24 despite a closing bogey. Diksha Dagar, who had been in contention earlier, slipped on the final day with a round of 76 to end at T-37.

Avani Prashanth carded a 77 to finish T-57. The remaining Indian trio—Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik, and Hitaashee Bakshi—missed the cut.

At the top of the leaderboard, England’s Esme Hamilton claimed her maiden Ladies European Tour title with a composed final-round 71, sealing a two-shot victory.

She held off strong challenges from Cara Gainer and Pia Babnik after an intense battle in testing weather at Royal Cape Golf Club.

Diksha began her round steadily with five consecutive pars but dropped shots on the sixth and ninth holes. Although she recovered briefly with a birdie on the 11th, a costly double bogey on the 15th ended her hopes of a higher finish.

Pranavi started from the back nine, mixing two bogeys with a birdie. She surged briefly on her second nine with three birdies between the first and fifth holes but slipped out of the top 20 after dropping a shot on the eighth.

Avani’s round featured two birdies, two bogeys, and two double bogeys.

Hamilton’s victory was hard-earned. Starting the final day tied with Babnik and narrowly ahead of Gainer, she endured an early bogey before building momentum with birdies on the fifth and sixth. A double bogey on the ninth, combined with Gainer’s birdie, saw the lead tighten dramatically at the turn.

However, Hamilton showed remarkable composure on the back nine, birdieing the 11th, 14th, and 16th to regain control. She closed with a calm par on the 18th to finish at 15-under and secure the win in just her 23rd start on tour.

Gainer finished second at 13-under after a round of 72, while Babnik placed third at 12-under. A group including Anna Morgan, Brianna Navarrosa, and Emma Spitz shared fourth place at nine-under

In the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit standings, Agathe Laisne continues to lead, followed by Casandra Alexander and Kelsey Bennett, with Hamilton’s win lifting her into fourth place.

Source: IANS

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Avondale (US), April 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Superb teamwork between brothers Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick resulted in a unique win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The brothers totalled 31-under and celebrated a dramatic and emotional victory after a fierce battle down the stretch as the TPC Louisiana event’s unique team format delivered plenty of twists.

India-origin players Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai carded a steady 2-under 70 in the final alternate-shot round, finishing tied for 24th. Another Indo-Canadian pairing, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Ryan Gerard, ended in 34th after a similar round.

At the top, however, the Fitzpatrick brothers showcased resilience under pressure. Entering the back nine with a comfortable four-shot lead, they briefly faltered, allowing competitors back into contention. But when it mattered most, they delivered. A near-perfect bunker shot from Matt on the 18th hole left Alex with a simple tap-in, sealing a one-stroke victory and a memorable PGA TOUR triumph.

The win carries added significance for Alex, who recently captured the Indian Open title. This latest success not only reinforces his rising profile but also grants him a valuable PGA TOUR exemption through 2028.

For Matt, already a major champion after his 2022 U.S. Open win, it marks his fifth career PGA TOUR title and continues a remarkable run of form this season.

Behind them, teams including Alex Smalley–Hayden Springer and Kristoffer Reitan–Kris Ventura fell just short, finishing tied at 30-under. Despite strong performances, none could match the Fitzpatricks’ composure in the final moments.

The victory also propels Matt to the top of the FedExCup standings for the first time in his career, capping off an impressive season highlighted by multiple wins. More importantly, it marks a historic moment as the first English duo to win the Zurich Classic in its team format.

For the Fitzpatrick family, watching from greenside, the win was more than just another trophy—it was a shared dream realized. As Alex described it, the moment was "life-changing", and few would argue otherwise.

Source: IANS

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Singapore, April 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gaganjeet Bhullar had a disappointing finish at the International Series Singapore of Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) 2026 as he finished the week with a 2-over 73 and ended Tied-26th after having been in a position to contend earlier in the week at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on Sunday.

The four-time IGPL winner, Bhullar, also an 11-time Asian Tour winner, had an early birdie on the second, but in the next seven holes, he dropped four shots. On the back nine, he birdied the 10th and the 17th and the 18th, but also double bogeyed the 15th in his 73

The Top Indian on the final day was yet another AM Green IGPL star, Pukhraj Singh Gill, who shot his best score of the week with a 4-under 67 with five birdies against one bogey to join Bhullar in the T-26th spot. The only other Indian player to make the cut, Karandeep Kochhar (76), also from the AM Green IGPL, was 70th

Korea’s Jeongwoo Ham kept the lead for the fourth straight day with a card of 3-under 68 and completed a wire-to-wire win. He was chased hard by Australian Cameron John (66) on a tense final day.

Ham closed with a three-under-par 68 to finish on 16-under and beat John by two shots. John shot a 66 while Spain’s Josele Ballester (66), Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (68), and Tomohiro Ishizaka (70) from Japan shared third, a distant seven behind the winner.

The result also secured Ham and John places in this summer’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, as the tournament is part of the Open Qualifying Series.

The weather also had a big part to play today, when, after three days of oppressive heat and humidity, the skies darkened and at 11.47 am play was stopped for just over three and a half hours due to lightning.

Ham becomes the second Korean to win the event. Younghan Song was the first in 2016 when he beat then world number one Jordan Spieth from the United States by one, also on The Serapong.

It is the Korean’s first win on the Asian Tour, where he has only played 24 times since turning professional eight years ago, with 16 of those on home soil.

The Asian Tour moves swiftly on to the GS Caltex Maekyung Open next week, for one of Korea’s most prestigious events. The tournament, which is celebrating its 45th edition, will be played at Namseoul Country Club, south of Seoul.

Source: IANS

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Los Angeles, April 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala shot 2-under in alternate shots and were Tied-15th after two rounds at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour.

They slipped two places from Tied-13th to Tied-15th at 12-under.

Another pairing with an Indian interest was Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Ryan Gerard, who were T-26 after a big jump from T-42. They shot 3-under and moved to 10-under.

Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick combined for a 7-under 65 in alternate-shot play Friday to pull within a stroke of leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer through two rounds. They barely missed a shot as per Matt Fitzpatrick, who has twice won PGA Tour this season.

The Fitzpatricks are playing together a fourth straight year in New Orleans, and the Englishmen have been in form lately. Matt Fitzpatrick has won twice since March, and Alex won his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open last month.

Smalley and Springer, having tied the tournament record with a 58 in Four-ball play in the opening round, had a 70 to get to 16-under 128.

The third round Saturday will tee off with nine teams within two shots of the leaders.

Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked third in the world after edging world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff in the RBC Heritage last weekend, highlighted his round with a chip-in birdie on the par-5 18th.

Alex made four of the tandem's six birdie putts, the longest from more than 17 feet. He credited his older brother, a 2022 U.S. Open winner known for a meticulous green-reading routine that includes dropping into a near-prone position for a ground-level view.

Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka missed the cut by a stroke despite combining for five birdies. They were done in by bogeys on a pair of par 3s: Nos. 3 and 17.

The format switches to better ball in the third round and returns to alternate shots Sunday.

Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat also were tied for second after a second-round 70.

Defending Zurich Classic champs Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak narrowly made the cut at 134.

Source: IANS

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Cape Town April 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Diksha Dagar gave away two vital shots towards the finishing stages of her round in the SA Women’s Open and dropped to Tied-16th at the end of the second round of the Ladies European Tour.

She shot 1-under 72 and was now 6-under for 36 holes. Diksha dropped five places after being T-11 on the first day. She shot 68 on the first day.

Diksha opened with a bogey on the 10th, but birdies on 11th, 16th and the 18th provided good recovery. However, on her second nine she bogeyed the third, but not before getting back the shot on the fifth. Back-to-back bogeys on the eighth and the ninth meant she dropped from Top-10 to outside that to Tied-16th.

Pranavi Urs (73) was placed T-43rd while Avani Prashanth (71) just made the weekend with a late birdie on the seventh, her 16th hole to squeeze inside the cutline and make the weekend action.

Avani birdied the 11th and the 14th and bogeyed the 18th, but on her second nine she parred all except for a birdie on the seventh which saw her survive the cut.

The three other Indians, who missed the cut were, Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik and Hitaashee Bakshi

Pia Babnik is the player to catch heading into the weekend after the Slovenian fired a 67 (-6) on Friday to move to 14-under par, three shots clear of England’s Cara Gainer.

Teeing up in the morning wave at Royal Cape Golf Club, Babnik, a two-time Olympian, recovered well after three-putting for bogey at the 1st carding nine birdies thereafter to surge into the lead.

The scorecard included three birdies in a row on the front-nine at the 6th, 7th and 8th before Babnik repeated her hot flurry birdying the 15th, 16th and 17th. Babnik is chasing a third win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) this week.

In solo second sits Gainer, winner of the 2025 Lalla Meryem Cup, who carded a 68 (-5) on Friday to move to 11-under par. The One back from Gainer is compatriot Esme Hamilton. The 26-year-old had a colourful scorecard – a round of 70 (-3) which included six birdies and three bogeys. Hamilton, now in her second year on the LET, rolled in a beauty for birdie at the 18th late into the afternoon.

In a tie for fourth on nine-under par sit USA’s Anna Morgan and Austria’s Emma Spitz. The former, a rookie on the LET, followed up yesterday’s 67 (-6) with a 70 (-3) to sit five off the pace heading into the weekend.

Five players share the sixth place on eight-under par.

Source: IANS

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Singapore, April 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Despite an up-and-down round of golf in tough conditions, Gaganjeet Bhullar fought hard and remained inside the top 5 of the leaderboard at the Singapore Open after Day-3.

Sitting at the top of the leaderboard at the USD 2 million International Series event is Korea’s Jeongwoo Ham, who, after shooting a 68 on Saturday, has been in the lead across all three days.

In energy sappingconditions with the formidable Serapong course at the Sentosa Golf Club to boot, Bhullar hung on gamely to shoot 1-over 72 on the movingday, in a round that was all about minimising the damages and staying in themix for him.

Bhullar currently lies in tied-fifth place at 6-under 207, a position he shared with Thai Jazz Janewattananond (68-66-73) and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (69-71-67), who was one of the standout performers of the day with an eagle and two birdies.

Bhullar encountered a nasty double bogey early on the third hole which threatened to derail his progress. “That was unfortunate. I hit a good drive, it was in the first cut and the lie was fine. I had about 210 yards with a five-iron but made a poor swing and pulled it left. From there, I ended up in a tricky spot near the bunker with no proper stance for my fourth shot. I managed to get it to about 10 feet but missed the putt," he said.

He got back a stroke immediately on the fourth and then went on to birdie the ninth as well. He would have hoped to go low in the back nine to make a charge up the leaderboard, but ended up making 8 pars and a bogey after the turn.

“It was hot and humid again, but I thought I played well. The score wasn’t as good as the last two rounds because I didn’t hole as many birdie putts, but I created plenty of opportunities. I drove the ball really well, that was probably the strongest part of my game today. Even towards the end, I gave myself chances, just couldn’t convert a few of them”, he summed it up.

Bhullar currently lies seven shots off the pace from leader Ham, yet remains hopeful. “Overall, with 18 holes to go, I’ll keep my head down, get some lunch, and spend some time working on my putting.”

Young Pukhraj Singh Gill (71-70-72), playing on an International Series inviteasa follow-up to the pathway created from IGPL, played steady once again. The Ludhiana lad is at level-par and at the Tied-45 place.

The other Indian to make the cut, Karandeep Kochhar had a rather forgettable outing today, carding a 6-over 77 to lie at T-67.

The leader Jeongwoo Ham started this week’s Singapore Open as an unknown quantity outside of Korea. However, that has changed with each passing day of the prestigious event, and the 31-year-old has a four-shot lead over Australia’s Cameron John in this International Series event, one of the Asian Tour’s enhanced events that offers a pathway to the LIV Golf League.

John returned a 67, the joint-lowest round of the day along with Baig and Thailand's Itthipat Buranatanyarat, while Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka is in third, another stroke back, following a 70

Ham was unflappable again today, conducting a putting exhibition. “It feels great because my name is always on the top and the other players aren’t overtaking me. I hope it stays that way tomorrow,” he added.

“There’s no secret to my putting, really. The greens are just perfect. There isn’t much I pay attention to when I’m putting, but I just make sure I get it done quickly because of the heat,” signed off Ham

Source: IANS

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Singapore, April 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour and a four-time winner on the IGPL, put himself in contention for his maiden International Series title as he added 3-under 68 to his first round 67 and moved up to Tied-third place.

Only two other Indians, both of whom are Bhullar’s colleagues on the IGPL Tour, made the cut with Pukhraj Gill (71-70) in T-38 and Karandeep Kochhar (71-71). The remaining eight players, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Rashid Khan, Shiv Kapur, Sachin Baisoya, SSP Chawrasia, and Shubham Jaglan, missed the cut, and Jeev Milkha Singh retired due to injury.

Bhullar moved into contention, making two birdies in the last three holes. He was bogey-free for 31 holes – 18 in the first round and 13 in the next but dropped back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and the 15th, before picking up gains on the 16th and the 18th for a 68. At 10-under total, he is three behind the leader, Korea’s Jeongwoo Ham.

Bhullar said, “I've not been playing so many events. But I mean, it feels good to be on the first page of the leaderboard, definitely feels good.”

“I thought I played really well last year, but the scores were not coming at the right time. So probably this week, I'll try to do my routine, process, and try to give my 100%.”

Korea’s Ham enters the weekend of the Singapore Open as the surprise halfway leader at Sentosa Golf Club. He carded a three-under-par 68 on the formidable Serapong Course to move to 10-under for a two-shot lead over Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.

Jazz, the champion here on this course in 2019, returned a 66, while Bhullar and Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka share third place, another stroke behind. Bhullar and Ishizaka both shot 68s in the fourth event of the season on the Asian Tour, which is also part of The International Series.

Ham started the day in a share of the lead with Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu and maintained yesterday’s momentum while Wu fell away, carding a 75.

The Korean has only ever played in seven Asian Tour events outside of Korea, with a best finish of joint 29th in the International Series Japan two weeks ago. He made four birdies today, including on the par-five 18th, and dropped one shot on 15.

Despite not having tasted victory on the Asian Tour, he is a proven winner on the Korean PGA Tour, where he has won four times.

Source: IANS

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Nuh (Haryana), April 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Akshay Sharma carded an error-free eight-under 64 to claim his third PGTI title at the Rs 1 crore Players Championship played at the Classic Golf & Country Club in Nuh, Haryana, on Friday.

The 35-year-old Chandigarh-based golfer (70-65-70-64) emerged victorious by a slender one-shot margin at 19-under 269. The win earned Sharma Rs 15 lakh and lifted him to fifth on the 2026 PGTI Order of Merit with season earnings of Rs 37,12,575. The victory marked his first title in over five years, since his last win at Panchkula Golf Club in November 2020, capping a period of consistent performances.

Overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran (69-66-66-69) of Gurugram finished runner-up at 18-under 270 after starting the final round with a three-shot advantage.

Sharma began the day four shots behind in tied third but surged into contention with a flawless round that featured eight birdies. He steadily built momentum and moved into the lead by the back nine, before sealing the win with back-to-back birdies on the closing two holes.

Sheoran, meanwhile, struggled to maintain his advantage early in the round, playing his front nine at even-par with two bogeys and two birdies. Sharma overtook him by the 10th hole and extended his lead with further gains.

Sheoran staged a late fightback with an eagle on the par-5 14th followed by a birdie on the 16th to close the gap to one shot with two holes remaining.

However, Akshay’s strong finish left Sheoran needing an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff. He managed only a birdie to settle for second place. With the runner-up finish, Sheoran earned Rs 10 lakh and climbed from 13th to eighth on the Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs 28,74,583.

Reflecting on his round, Akshay said, “I’ve been working hard and had a lot of consistent finishes recently, so it feels great to finally get the win. My focus today was simple — hit fairways and greens and stay patient.”

“I started well and built momentum around the turn with a long birdie putt on the 10th. From there, I felt in control and kept giving myself chances. I knew I needed a strong finish, and the birdies on the last two holes made the difference,” he added.

Sharma also acknowledged the support system behind his comeback. “This win after a long gap means a lot. I’m grateful to my sponsors and everyone who has supported me through this phase. Mr. Jeev Milkha Singh has been a huge inspiration and my hero. I thought of him while making that crucial soft putt on the 17th because that is how he putts,” he said.

Jamal Hossain (67-70-68-69), a co-leader after the first round, finished third at 14-under 274 after carding a 69 on day four. Karnal’s Mani Ram (69-68-70-68) secured fourth place at 13-under 275 with another steady round of 68.

PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, a winner earlier this season, finished tied 13th at seven-under 281. Talwar earned Rs 1,51,367 to take his season earnings to Rs 79,03,067 and extend his lead in the merit list by over Rs 14 lakh.

Source: IANS

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