Kaul on top after round one of DP World Players Championship

DP World Players Championship day one leader Kshitij Naveed Kaul in action at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on Tuesday. Image courtesy of DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Kshitij Naveed Kaul led the first round of the Rs 1.5 crore DP World Players Championship at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Kaul posted a flawless 8-under-par 62 at one of his favorite venues where he had also set the course record last year with a 10-under 60, according to the DP World PGTI.

Honey Baisoya’s 63 put him in second place, while American Jhared Hack, winner of last week’s season opener, Kushal Singh, Dhruv Sheoran and Akshay Sharma were still a shot behind in shared third place.

Former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer Ahlawat started the week with a 65 and finished in a tie for seventh place.

The 25-year-old Kaul, winner of five DP World PGTI events including one last season, drove the ball to perfection on Tuesday as he landed four of his drives close to the green.

His round also included some flawless bunker shots. Kaul, who finished fourth in New Raipur last week, collected three birdies on the back nine and added another five on the front nine, including four on the trot.

Top effort

Kaul of Delhi Golf Club later said: “My drive and bunker shots were top class today. I came close to finding the green a few times with my drives.”

“My approach shots were also quite accurate. I really enjoy playing this golf course. I also had a great outing here last year.

“On this course, making chip putts from close range is not easy, so making good wedge shots from a longer distance is much more important. That’s what I was able to do well today.”

Baisoya, who entered the Chhattisgarh Open last week after leading the field after round three, continued the good work at Qutab.

He produced a flawless effort of 7-under 63 with four birdies on the back nine and three on the front nine.

Hack and Kushal Singh produced magic with their wedges as the former landed it four times within five feet, while the latter started the day with three consecutive birdies, all tap-ins from two feet.

Also read: Hack makes DP World PGTI debut with victory at Chhattisgarh Open

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