Can Umed Kumar Maintain His Lead in PGTI NEXGEN?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Umed Kumar leads the PGTI NEXGEN event with a score of three-under 67.
- The Lucknow Golf Club has a unique course layout with nine holes played twice.
- Umed's strong chipping was vital to his performance.
- Local favorite Sanjeev Kumar is a strong contender with a two-under 68.
- This event highlights emerging talent in Indian golf.
Lucknow, Sep 9 (NationPress) Umed Kumar hailing from Chandimandir, Haryana, marked his territory with an impressive three-under 67, taking the lead after the first round of the seventh event in the PGTI NEXGEN season at the Lucknow Golf Club.
Local golfer Sanjeev Kumar finished second, posting a two-under 68.
The Lucknow Golf Club features a par-70, nine-hole course, where players traverse the same nine holes twice to complete a round. Various tees and hole placements are utilized for the front and back nines.
Umed Kumar, who has already clinched a victory in the PGTI NEXGEN this season, delivered an error-free performance on Tuesday. He maintained pars over the initial twelve holes, including an impressive save from the bunker on the 12th.
The 24-year-old's breakthrough came with a precise tee shot on the par-3 13th, leaving him just a four-foot putt for birdie. He then secured birdies on the 16th and 18th with tricky putts ranging from six to ten feet.
Currently ranked eighth in the PGTI NEXGEN Order of Merit, Umed shared, “My chipping was crucial today. It helped me recover from several missed greens. I consistently landed my chip shots within a few feet of the flag.”
“I’m carrying a lot of confidence from my recent performances, finishing fourth in last week’s NEXGEN event and also placing in the top-10 on the PGTI's main tour a couple of weeks ago. I aim to build on this momentum in the upcoming rounds.”
Local favorite Sanjeev Kumar showcased his skill with six birdies and four bogeys during his round of 68.