Synopsis
In the first round of the Kolkata Challenge 2025, India's Om Prakash Chouhan and Spain's Quim Vidal share the lead with a score of six-under 66. SSP Chawrasia follows closely with a 67. The tournament, featuring top golfers, showcases impressive performances at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.Key Takeaways
- Om Prakash Chouhan and Quim Vidal share the lead.
- SSP Chawrasia is tied for third with a score of 67.
- Five Indians are in the top-10 after round one.
- Chouhan's experience on the DP World Tour has benefited his performance.
- Vidal emphasizes the importance of understanding the course's grass.
Kolkata, March 13 (NationPress) India’s Om Prakash Chouhan delivered an impressive six-under 66 to jointly lead the first round alongside Spaniard Quim Vidal at the USD 300,000 Kolkata Challenge 2025 taking place at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) here on Thursday.
Four-time DP World Tour champion SSP Chawrasia, competing at his home course, completed day one with a score of 67, placing him tied for third alongside compatriot Dhruv Sheoran in this event co-sanctioned by the HotelPlanner Tour & PGTI.
Syed Saqib Ahmed and Mohd Azhar both recorded scores of 69, securing tied ninth position and ensuring five Indians made it into the top-10 after round one.
Chouhan, a previous victor on the HotelPlanner Tour and at the RCGC, achieved eight birdies and two bogeys during his initial round. Having secured a spot on the DP World Tour in 2024 due to winning the PGTI Order of Merit in 2023, he started and finished the day with long birdie conversions from distances of 15 to 30 feet on the 10th and ninth.
Notably, Chouhan chipped in from the bunker on the sixth and set up two easy tap-ins, one resulting from an excellent tee shot on the Par-3 second hole.
“My experience on the DP World Tour last year has significantly improved my game. Arriving at the Kolkata Challenge, I feel quite comfortable as I have previously won on the HotelPlanner Tour and recently experienced success at the RCGC in 2023,” Chouhan remarked.
“Maximizing the two Par-5s and two Par-3s on this course is crucial; there aren't many other scoring chances available here. I performed well by securing shots on both Par-5s and one of the Par-3s today. I would say I'm confidently optimistic about this week,” he added.
Quim Vidal also shot a flawless 66, sharing the lead with Chouhan after the first day.
“Playing smart is vital here. Understanding how the ball reacts from this grass is essential, as it differs from what we're used to. If you encounter rough areas, the ball can behave unpredictably based on the lie. Consistent straight hitting is necessary, but comfort with this grass is equally important,” Vidal explained.
“I performed well in South Africa, but my last visit here didn’t go as planned, so I arrived with no expectations. I know I'm hitting the ball well, and I came here to play and see what unfolds. Starting strong is promising,” he added.
SSP Chawrasia, who began from the 10th, achieved six birdies on the back nine, including five consecutive ones from the 14th to the 18th. He added two additional birdies on the front nine, despite facing unfortunate breaks leading to three bogeys in a row from the fifth to the seventh.
Dhruv Sheoran recorded an eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys on Thursday. Joshua Grenville-Wood made a hole-in-one on the 13th during his round of 70, placing him tied for 23rd.
