Yashas Chandra grabs first-round lead at Players Championship

Yashas Chandra grabs first-round lead at Players Championship

Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra continued his excellent form to grab the first-round lead at the Players Championship.

Yashas, who secured tied 11th on the PGTI last week, shot 7-under error-free round at one of his favoured venues, where he has struck some low scores in the past.

Reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion Rashid Khan of Delhi, who ended tied seventh last week, also continued to impress with a five-under 67 that saw him end the opening day in tied second place along with Kolkata’s Sunit Chowrasia and Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat.

Yashas Chandra, in his first round, smashed four consecutive birdies from the fifth to the eighth, which came as a result of some brilliant driving and chipping.

Yashas, who is searching for his maiden title, said, “I’ve played well at the PGC in the past, and that kind of helped heading into this week. I finished fourth here back in 2019 having shot a seven-under in one of the rounds. I also made three eagles in my opening round at the same event."

Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan

Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan, who mixed six birdies with a bogey during his 67 said, “I’m in the process of finding my swing. Things are slowly settling down for me. After a good finish last week I’m hoping to carry forward the momentum in this event.”

Sunit Chowrasia also made six birdies and a bogey, while Veer Ahlawat sank seven birdies against two bogeys to share a second-place alongwith Rashid.

Chandigarh’s Ranjit Singh was the highest-placed Tricity golfer as he shot a 68 to occupy the fifth position.

Defending champion Akshay Sharma of Chandigarh and Gurugram-based Manu Gandas, winner on the PGTI last week, were both placed tied 26th with scores of 72.