Tata Steel Tour Championship 2024: Chhibber, Bedi, Thangaraja Lead

Sarthak Chhibber, Aadil Bedi, and N Thangaraja tie for the lead after Round 1 at the Tata Steel Tour Championship 2024.

Key Points:

• Sarthak Chhibber, Aadil Bedi, and N Thangaraja scored 6-under 65.
• Rohan Dhole Patil, Shamim Khan, M Dharma, and Jamal Hossain are tied at second.
• Defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar scored even-par 71, placed 34th.

JAMSHEDPUR – Sarthak Chhibber, Aadil Bedi, and N Thangaraja secured a joint lead in the first round of the Tata Steel Tour Championship 2024 with an impressive 6-under 65 score.

The prestigious tournament, which marks the season-ending event of the Tata Steel PGTI Tour, is being held across Jamshedpur’s Beldih and Golmuri Golf Courses. It boasts a total prize purse of INR 3 crore. The unique format sees golfers play one nine-hole stretch on each course during every round.

Early Leaders Impress

Delhi’s Sarthak Chhibber, ranked 27th on the PGTI merit list this season, showcased his consistent form. He made three birdies in his first six holes but faced a setback with a bogey on the eighth. However, a brilliant chip shot secured a birdie on the ninth. Chhibber finished strong on the back-nine with three more birdies, including a stellar up-and-down bunker shot. Notably, he birdied all four par-5 holes.

“I started off well today,” said Chhibber. “The early birdies and a few key par saves kept my rhythm intact. My short game held strong, and the confidence from playing well this season helped me push through.”

Chandigarh’s Aadil Bedi, currently 48th on the PGTI money list, had a challenging back-nine with three bogeys and two birdies. However, he roared back on the front-nine with five birdies and an eagle on the ninth hole, showcasing precision with his iron play.

“After a slow start, I picked up momentum in the latter part of my round,” Bedi commented. “I’ve been playing consistently better recently, and this week is all about putting everything together.”

N Thangaraja Shares the Spotlight

Sri Lankan golfer N Thangaraja, ranked 38th on the Order of Merit, delivered a strong performance. His 65 included seven birdies and just one bogey, placing him in the shared top spot with Chhibber and Bedi.

Meanwhile, four players – Rohan Dhole Patil, Shamim Khan, M Dharma, and Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain – finished tied for second place at 5-under 66. Defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar struggled to find his rhythm, scoring an even-par 71, landing him tied for 34th.

Local Talent and Course Dynamics

Jamshedpur’s local professionals faced mixed results. Karan Tank managed a 72 to tie for 45th, while Divyajay Singh and Kurush Heerjee settled at 74 and 78, tying for 54th and 60th positions, respectively.

The challenging format, where players switch between the Beldih and Golmuri courses, will continue for the next three rounds. Many players noted the strategic demands of Beldih compared to the more attack-friendly Golmuri course.

As the tournament progresses, fans can expect intensified competition with key players like SSP Chawrasia, Udayan Mane, and Veer Ahlawat, who sit tied for eighth at 4-under 67, still in contention for the title.