Vizag, Nov 3 Gaganjeet Bhullar made an impressive start to the Green Fuels Maritime Invitational, carding a fine three-under 69 to share the first-round lead with three others here on Tuesday.
Bhullar was joined at the top by three players — Deepak Yadav, Ravi Kumar and Kanav Chauhan — who are still searching for their maiden IGPL victories.
Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour winner, showed his ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions, raising hopes of another back-to-back title on the Tour following his victory at the Krishna Invitational.
Bhullar began his round on the fourth hole and kept things steady with five successive pars before finding his first birdie on the ninth.
After four more pars, he found another gear with three consecutive birdies from the 15th. His only blemish came on the 18th, where he dropped a shot. Three closing pars completed his round of 69.
The experienced Yashas Chandra occupied fifth place with a two-under 70, while Nayanika Sanga, 22, was the leading woman in the field after opening with a one-under 71 to lie sixth.
Olympian Udayan Mane had an eventful round featuring six birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey, leaving him tied seventh. He was joined at that position by Arjun Prasad and Harshjeet Sethie, who both carded even-par 72s.
Pukhraj Singh Gill, who is set to play on the Asian Tour in 2027, made a late recovery to finish with a one-over 73. He was tied 10th alongside Sachin Baisoya and Tusshar Pannu.
(PTI News)
