Merit topper Sandhu takes over the lead of Vishwa Samudra Open

Vishwa Samudra Open day three leader Yuvraj Sandhu from Chandigarh in action at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday. Image courtesy of PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Yuvraj Sandhu, a five-time PGTI winner this year, will be looking for a sixth title this season at the Vishwa Samudra Open at the Delhi Golf Club on Friday.

On day three of the Rs 2 crore event presented by Kapil Dev, the Order of Merit leader had a one-stroke lead over the field with a flawless 6 under par 66, the PGTI said

Sandhu (73-69-66) had the best score on Moving Day, gaining two places from his tie for third place to a total of 8-under 208.

If the Chandigarh golfer records his sixth win of 2025, he would equal Manu Gandas’ PGTI record for most titles in a season in 2022.

Sandhu missed the target in Jaipur last week when he finished second after leading for much of the final lap.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan (72-70-67) shot a 67 to move up one spot to second at 7-under 209.

Bounce back

The two-time international winner mixed six birdies with a bogey on Thursday to emerge as Yuvraj’s biggest rival in the title race.

Khan wants to end a six-year title drought.

Manu Gandas (71-72-68) occupies third place at 5 under 211 at the end of day three.

Sandhu started Thursday with a birdie and then sank putts from between 10 and 20 feet to pick up birdies on holes seven and nine.

His good putting form continued on the back nine as he hit two more long attempts for birdies at 11 and 13. His final birdie of the day came at 14.

“I feel like there is more clarity between me and my caddy in decision making this week,” Sandhu said later.

“That is an aspect that contributed to my good performance over the past two days.

Introspection

“I also feel like with so many consecutive weeks on the road, I haven’t gotten enough time to sit down and be introspective on my game.

“I needed some time away from the match. So, immediately after the Jaipur event, I rushed home to Chandigarh.”

“Even those 24 hours at home gave me time to collect myself and I also played a game of paddle tennis with my friends for a refreshing break from golf.”

The leaders of day one and day two, Jairaj Singh Sandhu and N. Thangaraja, were tied for seventh place, six strokes behind the leader.

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