Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (NationPress) The talented pair from Haryana, Divesh Rana and Umed Kumar, both delivered impressive performances with scores of five-under 67, securing a joint lead in the opening round of the PGTI NEXGEN’s Dilip Tirkey Invitational 2025, taking place at the Bhubaneswar Golf Club.

Trailing by two shots are Saurav Rathi and Bipin Mukhiya, who find themselves tied for third at this historic event in Odisha.

Among the local professionals, Pradeep Bhagat stood out as he recorded a score of 77, placing him tied for 37th in a competitive field of 58 players at the INR 20 lakh event.

27-year-old Divesh Rana, from Faridabad, showcased his skills by achieving four birdies within the first ten holes, landing two shots within two feet of the flag. After a bogey on the 13th, Divesh made an impressive recovery with a superb tee shot on the Par-4 15th, landing just half a foot from the pin and resulting in an eagle.

Divesh expressed, “Playing for the first time at Bhubaneswar Golf Club was a fantastic experience. The course's greens are in excellent shape. I maintained consistency off the tees, allowing me to navigate the narrow fairways effectively. I nearly achieved a hole-in-one on the Par-4 15th, where my shot was just half a foot from the hole. This round boosts my confidence for the upcoming challenges.”

Umed Kumar, hailing from Chandimandir and a recent winner on the NEXGEN tour, also carded a 67 with six birdies and a single bogey, tying with Divesh at the top. Currently second in the Order of Merit, Umed aims for the number one position to secure an exemption for next year’s main tour. He exhibited strong putting skills, sinking a 20-footer alongside four other birdie putts from ranges of seven to ten feet.

The 24-year-old Umed commented, “I was able to hit most fairways today, and my approach shots were spot on. This course resembles my home course in Chandimandir, making me feel quite comfortable here.”