Bhullar Leads with 64 at TATA Steel Tour Championship

Gaganjeet Bhullar takes two-shot lead in TATA Steel Tour Championship’s first round.

Gaganjeet Bhullar leads the TATA Steel Tour Championship with a first-round 64, outpacing seven players tied for second.

JAMSHEDPUR – Gaganjeet Bhullar, the 2020 champion, showcased his expertise at the TATA Steel Tour Championship, leading with an impressive eight-under 64 in the opening round.

This year’s tournament, held at the Beldih and Golmuri Golf Courses, features a unique format where golfers alternate between the two courses across the four rounds.

Bhullar, renowned for his 12 international titles, excelled on the par-5 holes, achieving birdies on each one.

His remarkable start included birdies on the first three holes and an eagle on the fourth, setting a strong pace early in the round.

The tournament’s distinctive two-course format presented a challenge in adapting to varying green speeds, but Bhullar navigated it skillfully, particularly after moving from Golmuri to Beldih.

Despite a bogey on the 11th, Bhullar’s consistent play and strategic approaches, especially on the par-5s, kept him in the lead.

The 35-year-old golfer’s recent victory in Asia bolstered his confidence, as evidenced by his performance in Jamshedpur.

Tied for second place, seven players, including Kartik Sharma and N Thangaraja, trail Bhullar by two shots with scores of 66.

Chikkarangappa S, the defending champion, and Udayan Mane, the 2019 and 2021 winner, faced tougher starts, tying for 23rd and 36th places respectively.

Om Prakash Chouhan, the current TATA Steel PGTI Ranking leader, and Jamshedpur-based professionals Karan Taunk and Kurush Heerjee also had modest starts, placing them further down the leaderboard.