Can Mohd Azhar Maintain His Lead at The Poona Club Open?
Synopsis
Witness the thrilling opening day of The Poona Club Open, where Mohd Azhar's exceptional seven-under 64 places him at the top. With the competition heating up, can he sustain his lead against formidable challengers like Yuvraj Sandhu? Read on for all the exciting details!
Key Takeaways
Mohd Azhar leads with a score of seven-under 64 .
Yuvraj Sandhu secured second place with six-under 65 .
The event has a total prize pool of INR 1 crore .
The Poona Club Open is held at the Poona Club Golf Course in Pune.
Strong support from various sponsors boosts professional golf in India.
Pune, Oct 28 (NationPress) Mohd Azhar from Hyderabad delivered an impressive performance, scoring a remarkable seven-under 64 on the opening day to claim the top position by a single stroke at The Poona Club Open, a prestigious event with a prize pool of INR 1 crore, hosted at the Poona Club Golf Course in Pune. The current leader in the PGTI Order of Merit, Yuvraj Sandhu, secured second place with a solid six-under 65.
In third place is Veer Ahlawat from Gurugram, who finished with a score of 66, just one shot behind.
The Pune-based players making their mark included Akshay Damale, Aaron Rockey, Aditya Bhandarkar, Adityaa Garg, and amateur Arkin Patel, all tied for 29th with scores of 71.
Azhar, having recently shown strong form with four top-10 finishes in his last six outings, began his round with a birdie-bogey sequence. However, he quickly regained momentum, adding three more birdies on the front nine, including a remarkable 35-foot putt on the third hole.
Currently ranked 23rd in the PGTI Order of Merit, Azhar added four more birdies on the back nine, showcasing his skill with both a tap-in and an 18-foot conversion.
He commented, “I consistently hit it close to the flags throughout the day. The Poona Club Golf Course places a strong emphasis on hitting fairways, and I excelled at that today. My chipping and putting were exceptional on the back nine, as I didn’t hit any greens from hole 14 onwards but made several quality chip-putts.”
“This season has been significantly better compared to the last, and I’m eager to continue making progress in the remaining tournaments this year.”
Yuvraj Sandhu recorded eight birdies and two bogeys to secure second place, while Veer Ahlawat finished third with six birdies and one bogey.
The ongoing efforts of the PGTI to promote professional golf in India receive continuous support from its Tour Partners, including Rolex, Amul, IndusInd Bank, Victorious Choice, Campa, Amrutanjan Electro Plus, Golf Plus Monthly, and Golf Design India.
Point of View
The performance of players like Mohd Azhar at The Poona Club Open highlights the growing talent in Indian golf. With significant backing from sponsors and strong competitive fields, these events not only elevate individual athletes but also promote the sport across the nation.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading The Poona Club Open?
Mohd Azhar from Hyderabad is currently leading The Poona Club Open with a score of seven-under 64.
What is the prize money for The Poona Club Open?
The Poona Club Open has a total prize pool of INR 1 crore.
Which player is in second place?
Yuvraj Sandhu, the current leader in the PGTI Order of Merit, is in second place with a score of six-under 65.
Where is The Poona Club Golf Course located?
The Poona Club Golf Course is situated in Pune, India.
What are the main sponsors of the PGTI?
The PGTI is supported by various sponsors, including Rolex, Amul, and IndusInd Bank.
