Gritty Kartik steals the spotlight on opening day as the Regals top table

Mumbai Aces’ teenage star Kartik Singh on his way to a shared point in the singles against Jhared Hack of Naya Raipur on day one of 72 The League in the Classic GCC near Manesar on Tuesday. Image courtesy of DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Rajasthan Regals made a flying start to their 72 The League campaign, ending their match against Kolkata Classics unbeaten at the Classic Golf and Country Club near Manesar on Tuesday.

Ajeetesh Sandhu’s men won both singles, the foursomes and Akshay Sharma and Jairaj Singh Sandhu held the strong duo of Khalin Joshi and Angad Cheema level in the fourballs, the DP World PGTI said.

The foursome was a good win for the Regals, as Chikkarangappa S. and Dhruv Sheoran defeated Rashid Khan and Ajay Baisoya 3 and 2, despite losing two of the first six holes.

But much of the attention was on 16-year-old Kartik Singh, who got Mumbai Aces off to a stunning start by keeping Nava Raipur’s in-form American golfer Jhared Hack at half in their singles match.

Singh was actually 1 down after 15 holes before reaching 16 with a birdie.

The tension on 18 was intense with good tee shots from both players.

Hack, who recently shot a 59 at a DP World PGTI event in Chattisgarh, then hit his second shot on the par-5 hole to 12 feet, piling the pressure on Singh.

Tell a response

However, Singh responded beautifully and hit his second shot from 210 yards to 16 feet. He missed his Eagle Putt, but so did Hack to tie the game.

“Of course I would have liked to make the putt on the last hole and win, but I am very happy that I was able to halve the match. It was a very tough match,” said Singh, who turned professional last year.

“He didn’t really give me many chances to go up because he played very consistently today. I made six birdies, but it felt like every time I made a birdie he would do the same thing.”

“I was very proud to have been chosen by my team for the singles, because the singles tee off first and the first match certainly sets the pace of the day.”

Regals captain Sandhu said after the day’s action that saw his team top the standings: “It was very pleasant. Very happy with the result.”

“I think we had a good plan today and we executed accordingly. That was our goal and I’m very happy we got through it.

“We spoke last night and in the end it was a bit of a mix and match. A few of the guys got on straight away and we knew this was a strong combination to go forward with.

Mix and match

“Some guys felt good about their matches and wanted to play singles. I think every team is trying to figure things out as they go.”

Rajasthan’s K. Prabagaran registered the first win in the history of the League as he defeated veteran Mukesh Kumar 5 and 4.

The Sri Lankan, winner of the 2006 All-India Amateur Championship, won the third and fourth holes with birdies and never looked back.

“I really enjoy playing singles, and I thought I did very well against Mukesh. I made some very good putts and drove the ball well. It is a proud moment for me that I have scored the first point of the new competition,” Prabagaran said.

The final match of the day, a fourball between Shivendra Singh Sisodia and Mohammed Azhar of Nava Raipur against Tapendra Ghai and Kushal Singh of Mumbai Aces, could not be completed due to darkness.

The two pairs will return to the court on Monday when the tournament returns to the Nuh venue.

The second round will be played on Tuesday at the Jaypee Greens Golf Course in Noida.

Rajasthan Regals will take on Hyderabad’s Charminar Champions, while Kolkata Classics will take on Mumbai Aces and UP Prometheans will take on Nava Raipur.

Competition standings after round 1

Rajasthan Regals – 13 points

UP Prometheans – 8 points

Nava Raipur – 8 points*

Charminar Champions – 5 points

Mumbai Aces – 2 points*

Kolkata Classics – 1 point

(* indicates an unfinished match)

Also read: Rajasthan to take on Kolkata in PGTI’s 72 The League opener

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