Can Rookie Tushar Pannu Maintain His Five-Under Lead on Day One of PGTI NexGen 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tushar Pannu leads with five-under 31.
- Kushal Singh follows closely with four-under 32.
- The tournament features a INR 20 lakh prize purse.
- Event marks PGTI's debut in Ludhiana.
- Top 36 players will advance after two rounds.
Ludhiana, June 17 (NationPress) Rookie Tushar Pannu from Karnal kicked off the fifth event of the PGTI NexGen season at The Imperial Golf Estate in Ludhiana with an impressive score of five-under 31. This 21-year-old golfer secured a narrow one-shot advantage on the first day.
Kushal Singh from Gurugram finished the round with a commendable four-under 32, placing him in second position.
The Imperial Golf Estate features a par-72 nine-hole course, where players complete a round by playing the nine holes twice. However, due to a rain delay on Tuesday, the inaugural round only included nine holes with a course par of 36.
Pannu's remarkable putting skills led him to the top, completing an error-free round. He achieved an eagle on the sixth hole and recorded three birdies, all converted from distances of 12 to 15 feet. Additionally, he made a crucial par-save on the fourth hole following a wayward tee shot.
Pannu expressed, “When playing just nine holes, the goal is to remain steady and stay under par. I aimed for two-under today, so I am excited to surpass my expectations. My putting was exceptional as I made several long putts.”
“This year has been a solid start for my professional career, with a few top-20 finishes on the PGTI's main tour. This has boosted my confidence heading into this NexGen event.”
Kushal Singh also played a bogey-free round, closely trailing the leader with his score of 32. Other noteworthy performances included Karnal’s Rohit Narwal, Panchkula’s Abhishek Kumar, and Chandigarh’s Vasu Sehgal, who all tied for third place with scores of three-under 33.
The tournament boasts a prize purse of INR 20 lakh and marks the inaugural appearance of professional golf and the PGTI in Ludhiana, a key city in Punjab.
This event will unfold over three rounds (54 holes), with a cut after two rounds (36 holes). The top 36 players and ties will advance to the final round. The tournament features a field of 72 players, showcasing top professional golfers from across India.