PGTI NexGen Varanasi: Chowrasia, Mukeem Ali, Kaushal share lead at 3-under 67
Synopsis
Three golfers — Chowrasia, Mukeem Ali, and Kaushal — share the top of the leaderboard after a tough opening day at the inaugural PGTI NexGen Varanasi, where only 11 of 72 players broke par. With a main-tour exemption for 2027 on the line, the Order of Merit leader Chowrasia is the one to watch heading into round two.
Key Takeaways
Sunit Chowrasia , Mukeem Ali , and Dipankar Kaushal share the lead at three-under 67 after round one of the PGTI NexGen Varanasi on 16 June .
The event carries a prize fund of ₹25 lakh and is being played at BLW Greens Golf Course , Varanasi.
Only 11 of 72 players managed even-par or better on day one, reflecting difficult scoring conditions.
Chowrasia is the current NexGen Order of Merit leader and arrives on the back of two consecutive victories.
The NexGen Order of Merit winner earns a main-tour exemption for the 2027 DP World PGTI season.
Sunit Chowrasia of Kolkata, Mukeem Ali of Mathura, and Dipankar Kaushal of Noida each carded a three-under 67 on 16 June to share the opening-round lead at the inaugural DP World PGTI NexGen – Varanasi, a ₹25 lakh event being contested at the BLW Greens Golf Course in Varanasi. Only 11 of 72 players managed even-par or better on a demanding first day.
Chowrasia Arrives on a Winning Run
The 31-year-old Chowrasia, currently leading the DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit, came into Varanasi on the back of back-to-back victories — at the Alpha Sports Academy Golf Championship in Patna in March and the Vijay Kumar Memorial in Lucknow last week. His round featured seven birdies offset by two bogeys and a damaging double-bogey on the par-4 10th.
'It feels good to be in a share of the lead. I started well, but the double bogey on the 10th checked my momentum a little. After that, I stayed patient, focused on my game plan, and managed to recover well,' Chowrasia said. Playing in the afternoon wave, he also had to navigate punishing heat. 'It was much hotter and more humid than last week in Lucknow, so staying hydrated and managing my energy were important,' he added.
Mukeem Ali's Putting Lights Up the Back Nine
The 27-year-old Mukeem Ali, who started from the par-4 fifth in the shotgun format, posted five birdies against two bogeys. A decisive burst of three consecutive birdies from the 16th through the 18th propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.
'I putted really well today, and that made a big difference. My overall game was solid, and it's always nice when the putter starts working for you,' Mukeem said.
Kaushal's Eagle Rescues a Rollercoaster Round
Dipankar Kaushal, aged 39 and a member at Noida Golf Course, began from the par-3 eighth. His card included an eagle on the par-5 18th, four birdies, one bogey, and a double-bogey on the par-4 12th. He hit 17 greens in regulation, a statistic that underscored his ball-striking quality despite the two blots.
'I hit the ball really well and found 17 greens in regulation. The double-bogey was disappointing, but I recovered with an eagle and kept giving myself chances throughout the day,' Kaushal said. He also praised the venue: 'I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the course. It's in excellent shape, especially considering the weather.'
Rest of the Leaderboard
Delhi's Pawan Verma and Gurugram's Nikhil Sharma shared fourth place at two-under 68. Kolkata's Pratim Kumar and Souvik Nayak, alongside local favourite Hemant Yadav of Varanasi, were a shot further back in tied sixth at one-under 69. Varanasi-based professional Imamul Haq carded a 73 to sit tied 26th.
What Is at Stake
The PGTI NexGen Tour was launched by DP World PGTI in 2025 as its official development circuit, designed to widen playing opportunities for Indian professionals and carry competitive golf to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The winner of this season's NexGen Order of Merit earns a direct exemption on the main DP World PGTI tour for the 2027 season — making every stroke in Varanasi count beyond the prize fund.
Point of View
Including back-to-back titles, mark him as the standout talent on the NexGen circuit this season. Yet the shared lead after round one is a reminder that depth on the development tour is growing; a 27-year-old from Mathura and a 39-year-old from Noida matching his card signals that the NexGen's stated mission of broadening India's golfing bench strength is producing real competition. The Varanasi venue itself is a statement: hosting a professional event in a Tier 2 city tests infrastructure and builds local audiences, and early reports of course quality suggest the experiment is working. The main-tour exemption at stake sharpens every round into a career-defining moment for players who otherwise lack pathways to the top circuit.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads after round one of the PGTI NexGen Varanasi?
Sunit Chowrasia, Mukeem Ali, and Dipankar Kaushal share the first-round lead at three-under 67 at the DP World PGTI NexGen Varanasi on 16 June. All three carded identical scores at BLW Greens Golf Course.
What is the prize fund for the PGTI NexGen Varanasi?
The tournament carries a total prize fund of ₹25 lakh. It is part of the DP World PGTI NexGen Tour, the official development circuit of Indian professional golf.
What does the NexGen Order of Merit winner receive?
The winner of the 2025 NexGen Order of Merit earns a direct exemption to compete on the main DP World PGTI tour for the 2027 season. This makes the NexGen circuit a critical pathway for emerging Indian professionals.
What is the PGTI NexGen Tour?
The PGTI NexGen Tour is the development circuit launched by DP World PGTI in 2025 to provide competitive opportunities for all Indian professional golfers. It also aims to take professional golf to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India.
How did scoring conditions play out on day one in Varanasi?
Conditions were challenging, with only 11 of the 72 players managing even-par 70 or better on the opening day. Hot and humid weather, particularly in the afternoon wave, made energy management and course management critical factors.
