New Delhi, Oct 16 (NationPress) The Indian pair of Rahil Gangjee and Dhruv Sheoran showcased stellar performances on the opening day of the USD 4 million DP World India Championship 2025, held at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).

While former Open champion Shane Lowry from Ireland dazzled with an outstanding eight-under 64 to lead the first round, and former Indian Open victor Keita Nakajima of Japan followed closely with a 65, the Indian contingent shone brightly through the commendable efforts of Rahil Gangjee (67) and Dhruv Sheoran (68), who finished round one tied for fourth and seventh positions respectively.

Yuvraj Sandhu (69) was the next-best Indian, landing in tied 17th place. Anirban Lahiri and Abhinav Lohan recorded scores of 70, placing them tied for 28th, while Shubhankar Sharma ended up tied for 99th with a score of 74.

Prominent names in the tournament, including English stars Tommy Fleetwood and Luke Donald, along with American Brian Harman, a former Open champion, all finished tied for seventh with scores of 68. Pre-tournament favorite and world no. 2, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland concluded day one tied for 17th with a score of 69.

The experienced Rahil Gangjee led the Indian charge with an impressive five-under 67, which included four birdies, two bogeys, and a spectacular eagle on the 18th hole, where he sank a 55-footer from the edge of the green. The 47-year-old, who has triumphed on the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour, attributed his remarkable performance to a shift in his approach.

Rahil shared, “I’m delighted with how it unfolded today. My game has been strong since last week, but prior to that, it hadn't been great. I've felt overly serious during the past eight months. I aimed to enjoy my game more, especially since my last round at home in Bengaluru. My caddie Som and I decided to embrace fun. I believe this is essential for enjoying golf; we often take it too seriously.”

“Having played here countless times, I’m not surprised by my performance today, but given my recent form, I certainly wasn't expecting it. I made slight adjustments to my putting stroke and grip that seem to have paid off.”

“On the 18th, I executed a great drive but found myself caught between clubs for my second shot. Ultimately, I opted for an extra club to ensure I cleared the flag, as landing short would have left me with a challenging chip. Standing over the 55-footer for eagle, I recalled a similar putt I made for eagle here a couple of years ago; it was on the same line but closer to the hole. It’s incredible what such recollections can do.”

Dhruv Sheoran, who uniquely won his first two professional appearances on the PGTI back in 2018, combined an eagle with four birdies and two bogeys to card a first-round score of 68. His eagle on the first hole resulted from an exceptional chip-in from the bunker.

Dhruv, currently ranked 19th in the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit with five top-10 finishes this season, mentioned, “I felt a bit nervous at the start. However, after each shot, I reminded myself to stay present. Once I reassured myself that this was just a normal shot I’ve practiced many times, it eased the external pressures of the tournament.”

“After the practice round, my coach and I concluded that a lot of knuckle shots were needed for this course. Keeping it low with flighted shots was key.”

“It’s a dream come true to play alongside big stars like Rory and Tommy, whom I’ve watched on TV for so long. I could hardly sleep last night, knowing I’d be playing next to them.”

Yuvraj Sandhu, the leader of the PGTI Order of Merit and in stellar form this year with four titles, carded five birdies and two bogeys for a score of 69 on Thursday.

Yuvraj stated, “I was pleased with my discipline off the tee and had a hot putter, especially from 15 feet. Patience was my ally today. On the 10th, I opted for the driver, and aside from one mistake on the 12th, it was a clean round.”

“My highlight was the final hole where I debated whether to use the driver or not. Ultimately, I selected the two-iron and executed two fantastic shots, finishing the day with a birdie that boosted my confidence for round two.”