Chikka, Chiragh surge ahead
Fresh from his Indian Open title defence, Kolkata golfer S.S.P. Chawrasia returned to his home course, the RCGC, with a one-under 71 to lie tied 18th after the opening round of the Kolkata Classic on Tuesday.
Chawrasia had three birdies against two bogeys on the day as Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa S. and Chiragh Kumar of Delhi led the pack with scores of fourunder 68.
The Mhow-based duo of Mukesh Kumar and Om Prakash Chouhan, Chandigarh’s Feroz Singh Garewal and Delhi’s Ikramuddin Shah were bunched together in tied third at threeunder-69.
Chikkarangappa, the 2015 PGTI Order of Merit champion, reaped the rewards of going back to his old putter that contributed to his success at the junior, amateur and professional levels.
He started the week in style with three birdies on the first four holes but then had a torrid time from the fifth to the eighth, dropping four consecutive shots with some erratic hitting.
After being level-par through 14 holes, the 23-year-old produced a final flourish which began with a 75-foot eagle conversion on the 15th.
He signed off with two more long birdies on the 17th and 18th. Chiragh, fresh from an impressive tied 22nd finish at the Indian Open, made a solid start to the Kolkata Classic week.
Rookie Viraj Madappa, in his first pro event at his home town, shot a 79 to be placed tied 101st.