Yuvraj Sandhu fires 69 to lead Indian charge at Turkish Open in Belek
Synopsis
Yuvraj Sandhu announced his DP World Tour arrival with a composed 3-under 69, bouncing back from an early wobble to secure a top-10 spot at the Turkish Open. Shubhankar Sharma's volatile 2-under 70 kept him in contention, while Sweden's Mikael Lindberg's bogey-free 66 set the bar at six under — and with a U.S. PGA Championship spot on the line, his strong start carries major implications.
Key Takeaways
Yuvraj Sandhu carded a 3-under 69 in his DP World Tour debut at the Turkish Open on 1 May , securing a top-10 finish.
Shubhankar Sharma posted a 2-under 70 to sit in a tie for 22nd place.
Mikael Lindberg leads at 6-under 66 with a bogey-free round, including four birdies in his final six holes.
Sandhu recovered from turning one over par with four birdies on the front nine.
Lindberg needs a top-three finish to qualify for the U.S.
Yuvraj Sandhu, making his DP World Tour debut, carded a commanding 3-under 69 at the Turkish Open in Belek on 1 May, securing a top-10 finish after the opening round. Fellow Indian Shubhankar Sharma posted a steadier 2-under 70 to sit in a tie for 22nd, as Sweden's Mikael Lindberg took the early lead with a bogey-free 66 at the National Golf Club.
Sandhu's resilient opening
Sandhu began his round on the back nine with a birdie on the 12th but stumbled with consecutive bogeys on the 13th and 14th, turning in one over par. His composure showed on the front nine, where he fired four birdies on the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 8th holes to recover and finish at three under — one of his strongest opening rounds on the circuit.
Sharma's mixed day
Sharma navigated a volatile round featuring three birdies, one eagle, and three bogeys to post a 2-under 70. The mixed scorecard left him chasing the leaders but within striking distance heading into the second round.
Lindberg's flawless lead
Lindberg delivered a masterclass, carding a bogey-free 66 to claim a one-shot advantage. After turning at just one under, he surged with an explosive late run — collecting four birdies over his final six holes, including gains on the par-five 1st and 4th, to reach six under and secure the outright lead.
Lindberg's momentum and stakes
The Swedish golfer arrived in Belek in peak form, having secured a career-best third-place finish at the Volvo China Open, which elevated him to 8th in the Asian Swing Rankings. With a top-three finish required to qualify for the U.S. PGA Championship, Lindberg's strong start carries significant implications for his major-championship ambitions.
What's ahead
The second round will test whether Sandhu can sustain his debut momentum or if Lindberg's early dominance proves decisive. Sharma will look to tighten his scorecard and climb the leaderboard.
Point of View
But composed. A one-over turn followed by a four-birdie surge on the front nine shows the kind of course management that separates DP World Tour debutants who survive from those who fade. Lindberg's lead is real, but Sandhu's recovery from early trouble suggests he has the temperament to compete at this level. Sharma's volatility — eagle mixed with three bogeys — hints at the inconsistency that has defined his recent form.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Yuvraj Sandhu perform in his DP World Tour debut?
Yuvraj Sandhu carded a 3-under 69 at the Turkish Open on 1 May, securing a top-10 finish after the opening round. He recovered from a one-over turn with four birdies on the front nine, demonstrating composure in his debut on the circuit.
What was Shubhankar Sharma's opening round score?
Shubhankar Sharma posted a 2-under 70, which placed him in a tie for 22nd after the first day. His round included three birdies, one eagle, and three bogeys.
Who leads the Turkish Open after day one?
Sweden's Mikael Lindberg leads at 6-under 66 with a bogey-free round. He surged with four birdies over his final six holes to take a one-shot advantage.
Why is Mikael Lindberg's performance significant?
Lindberg needs a top-three finish at the Turkish Open to qualify for the U.S. PGA Championship. His bogey-free 66 gives him an early edge in pursuit of that major-championship spot.
How did Yuvraj Sandhu recover from his slow start?
After turning at one over par with consecutive bogeys on the 13th and 14th, Sandhu fired four birdies on the front nine (1st, 4th, 5th, and 8th holes) to finish at three under.
