Mysuru, Aug 12 (NationPress) The current leader of the Professional Golfers Tour of India (PGTI) Order of Merit, Yuvraj Sandhu from Chandigarh, made a remarkable entrance in his inaugural competitive round at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club (JWGC) by posting an impressive nine-under 61, taking the top position on the first day of the Mysuru Open 2025 on Tuesday.

Hot on his heels is Jamal Hossain from Bangladesh, who delivered an excellent performance with an eight-under 62 on the Par 70 course, securing the second spot. Both players had flawless rounds.

Former PGTI Order of Merit champion Om Prakash Chouhan from Mhow and Honey Baisoya from DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurugram, finished tied for third with scores of seven-under 63.

Home player Dhruv Bopanna from Mysuru, carded a six-under 64, tying for fifth place with Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa S. Meanwhile, Angad Cheema from Chandigarh, who has clinched the last two PGTI events and is currently ranked second in the Order of Merit, started with a 69, placing him tied for 60th.

Yuvraj Sandhu, one of just two multiple-time winners on the PGTI this year alongside Angad Cheema, began strong with two birdies on the front nine and surged ahead with an eagle and five birdies on the back nine. His exceptional back-nine included a stunning hole-out from 18 yards for eagle on the 14th hole.

The 28-year-old Sandhu expressed, “This was the perfect start for me since it’s my first event at JWGC. The playing conditions and weather vary significantly from our last venue in Ahmedabad. I’m thoroughly enjoying the weather here; it’s ideal for golf. I felt I adapted well to the conditions today, particularly with the greens and the course setup.”

“My consistency this season is due to the collaborative efforts of my entire team, including my coach, mental coach, physical trainer, physiotherapist, and nutritionist. I’ve dedicated a lot of time to improving my game during the off-season, adhering to my practice schedule even in challenging weather conditions this summer. I’m eager to see the benefits of all this hard work.”

Jamal Hossain's stellar performance included eight birdies, six of which were from within five feet, complemented by two long conversions. His solid driving and precise wedge shots positioned him close to the pin multiple times.

Jamal, a seasoned PGTI champion, commented, “I excelled with my tee shots and lob wedge shots, crucial elements on this course. This allowed me to set up numerous easy birdies. Although my first half of the season didn’t meet my expectations, I am determined to make improvements in the second half.”