Sandhu, Danek share Chennai Open lead with 65s in round one
Synopsis
Two golfers from opposite ends of the world — veteran Indian campaigner Ajeetesh Sandhu and Czech rising force Stepan Danek — fired identical seven-under 65s to share the Chennai Open 2026 lead. With Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar lurking at tied sixth and recent Telangana Open winner Rashid Khan at tied third, the ₹1 crore event is set for a dramatic final three rounds.
Key Takeaways
Ajeetesh Sandhu and Stepan Danek share the first-round lead at the Chennai Open 2026 with matching seven-under 65s .
Sandhu, a 37-year-old five-time PGTI winner from Chandigarh , carded eight birdies against one bogey.
Danek, 29 , delivered a flawless seven-birdie round, excelling on the par fives in his third PGTI season .
Jairaj Singh Sandhu , Rashid Khan , and Pawan Verma are tied third at six-under 66 .
Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar is tied sixth at five-under 67 .
Defending champion N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka is tied 16th after a three-under 69 .
Ajeetesh Sandhu and Czech Republic's Stepan Danek fired identical seven-under 65s on Tuesday to share the first-round lead at the ₹1 crore Chennai Open 2026, held at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course in Chennai. The pair set the early pace in what promises to be a tightly contested field on the PGTI circuit.
Sandhu's Gritty Eight-Birdie Round
Sandhu, a 37-year-old former Asian Tour winner from Chandigarh and a five-time winner on the PGTI, carded eight birdies against a lone bogey on the par-four 12th hole. He closed strongly with birdies on the 16th and 18th — both times after finding the greenside bunker — underscoring the experience and composure that have defined his career.
'It was a good day, and I capitalised on the easier holes,' Sandhu said. 'Finishing with birdies on the 16th and 18th was particularly satisfying. The fifth and sixth, along with a few of the par threes on the back nine, are more demanding, so you have to negotiate those well.'
Overnight rain had softened the course and greens, with preferred lies in effect throughout the day. Sandhu credited his Asian Tour experience for helping him manage the humid conditions. 'The softer conditions helped, but hydration and nutrition are extremely important in this weather,' he added.
Danek's Flawless Putting Display
Danek, 29, matched his co-leader's tally with a clean seven-birdie, bogey-free round. The Czech golfer, now in his third season on the PGTI, was particularly clinical on the par fives, converting a birdie on each of them.
'My putting was very good, and that is always the foundation of my game,' Danek said. 'I maintained the momentum throughout the round and took advantage of all the par fives. It is encouraging because my game has been developing well over the past three or four weeks.'
Chasing Pack and Key Contenders
Chandigarh's Jairaj Singh Sandhu was the best-placed player behind the co-leaders, carding a bogey-free six-under 66 to share third place alongside Delhi duo Rashid Khan and Pawan Verma. Rashid, 35, arrived in Chennai buoyed by his victory at the Telangana Open in Vikarabad just two weeks ago.
Current Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar opened with a five-under 67, placing him tied sixth. Defending champion N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka carded a three-under 69 to sit tied 16th after the opening round.
What the Race to the India Championship Means
The Race to the India Championship determines the PGTI's season-long No. 1 player and decides the top 24 players on the PGTI Order of Merit who will earn qualification for the season-ending India Championship. With Talwar leading that standings heading into this event, his opening round keeps him firmly in contention on both fronts.
Three more rounds remain at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course, and with the leaderboard tightly packed, the tournament is set up for a compelling finish.
Point of View
Receptive courses — his ability to birdie the 16th and 18th from greenside bunkers is the kind of detail that separates seasoned Tour players from the field. Danek's trajectory is worth watching: a Czech golfer now in his third PGTI season, steadily building a game suited to Indian conditions, is an unusual story that the circuit's global ambitions can only welcome. The real subplot, however, is Saptak Talwar — a five-under opener keeps him in the hunt for both the title and the Race to the India Championship, where the stakes are highest. If Talwar can close the two-shot gap over the weekend, this tournament could double as a season-defining moment.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the Chennai Open 2026 after round one?
Ajeetesh Sandhu and Czech Republic's Stepan Danek share the first-round lead at the Chennai Open 2026, both having carded seven-under 65s at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course on Tuesday. It is the joint-best score of the opening round.
What is the prize money for the Chennai Open 2026?
The Chennai Open 2026 carries a total prize purse of ₹1 crore. It is part of the PGTI circuit and also contributes to the Race to the India Championship standings.
How did Ajeetesh Sandhu perform in round one?
Sandhu carded eight birdies against a single bogey on the par-four 12th to post a seven-under 65. The 37-year-old from Chandigarh notably birdied the 16th and 18th holes after finding greenside bunkers on both.
What is the Race to the India Championship?
The Race to the India Championship is the PGTI's season-long ranking that determines the circuit's No. 1 player. The top 24 players on the PGTI Order of Merit at the end of the season earn qualification for the season-ending India Championship.
Where does defending champion N Thangaraja stand after round one?
Defending champion N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka carded a three-under 69 and sits tied 16th after the opening round at the Chennai Open 2026, five shots behind the co-leaders.
