Chhattisgarh Open Golf: Shaurya Bhattacharya Takes Command with an Impressive 61

Synopsis

Shaurya Bhattacharya of Delhi shot a remarkable eight-under 61 on Day Three of the Chhattisgarh Open 2025, leading by five shots with a total of 21-under 186 at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort. His impressive performance puts him in a strong position for the title.

Key Takeaways

Shaurya Bhattacharya leads by five shots.
His score of 61 is his second consecutive.
N. Thangaraja jumps to tied second after a 62.
Khalin Joshi remains in contention with a 67.
16-year-old Manoj S. impresses with a tied fourth.

Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Feb 27 (NationPress) Shaurya Bhattacharya from Delhi delivered an electrifying performance with an eight-under 61 on Day Three, propelling him five shots ahead at the summit with an aggregate score of 21-under 186 at the INR 1 crore Chhattisgarh Open 2025 held at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort on Thursday.

Having scored 64-61-61, Bhattacharya, who clinched a title on the PGTI during his rookie season last year, ascended from a tie for second place after posting his second consecutive 61.

Sri Lankan golfer N. Thangaraja (66-63-62) fired a 62 on Thursday, elevating him 13 spots to a tie for second at 16-under 291. Khalin Joshi (64-60-67), the leader at the halfway point, recorded a third-round score of 67, remaining in contention as he shared the second position with Thangaraja. The 16-year-old newcomer Manoj S. (65) from Bengaluru, participating in just his third professional event, was tied for fourth at 15-under 192 alongside Abhinav Lohan (64) from Faridabad and Bengaluru’s M Dharma (66).

Bhattacharya, crowned the 2024 PGTI Emerging Player of the Year, had a subdued front nine, registering three birdies against one bogey. He found his rhythm on the back nine, where he amassed six birdies. The 22-year-old successfully drove the green on the Par-4 12th hole, placing it within a foot of the pin on two occasions, and made an impressive chip-in on the 17th.

As the clear favorite for the title, Bhattacharya remarked, “I executed my approaches exceptionally well today, which is crucial on this course. My season didn’t start well, so I’m eager to finish strong here in Raipur. I’m bringing confidence from my win last year and aim to maintain the momentum I’ve built over the first three rounds.”

Thangaraja blended nine birdies with two bogeys on a day where most of his shots were within seven feet of the hole. Having last won a title in 2023, he will be in the hunt on Friday. Khalin Joshi, who has six titles to his name, including one internationally, kept his hopes alive with a 67, which included five birdies and three bogeys.

Among other notable players, Udayan Mane (64) was tied for seventh at 14-under 193, while Om Prakash Chouhan (65) was tied for 24th at 10-under 197.