Synopsis
Gaurav Pratap Singh of Noida set a new course record of nine-under 63, leading the first round of the Rs 2 crore Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 at Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru. His flawless performance surpassed the previous record of five-under 67 set by Rashid Khan in 2012.Key Takeaways
- Gaurav Pratap Singh leads with a course record score of 63.
- Arjun Prasad follows closely with an 8-under 64.
- The tournament features both male and female professionals.
- The event includes a Pro-Am format with amateurs and professionals teaming up.
- PGTI President Kapil Dev inaugurated the tournament.
Bengaluru, April 24 (NationPress) Gaurav Pratap Singh from Noida achieved a remarkable course record score of nine-under 63 to seize the first-round lead at the Rs 2 crore Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 taking place at the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru. Gaurav's impeccable performance surpassed the former course record of five-under 67 set by Rashid Khan in 2012.
In second place is Arjun Prasad from Delhi, who recently finished as runner-up in Delhi last week, maintaining his excellent form with an eight-under 64. Khalin Joshi from Bengaluru secured third place with a score of 65 in this unique PGTI event featuring both male and female professionals. Notable competitors like Gaganjeet Bhullar, Om Prakash Chouhan, and Yuvraj Sandhu are tied in sixth, all scoring 67.
Hitaashee Bakshi achieved the best score among female golfers with a 69, tying for 19th place.
Gaurav Pratap Singh's day began with a straightforward birdie on the first hole, followed by a remarkable 20-foot eagle on the fifth hole. His exceptional tee shots with the 3-wood and superb wedge play allowed Gaurav, a victor of four professional titles including two on the PGTI main tour, to secure five additional birdies between the eighth and sixteenth holes. The 40-year-old concluded his day with an impressive 15-footer for birdie on the 17th hole, finishing with a phenomenal 63.
“Everything aligned perfectly today regarding my game. I was nursing a couple of injuries in my knee and wrist over the past weeks, but currently, my body feels great and I'm injury-free,” he stated.
“This course is in excellent condition and demands strategic planning. I’m executing a clear strategy and opting for my 3-wood more frequently than the driver to position the ball effectively off the tee. This approach worked well for me today. The early eagle provided significant momentum and was a highlight of my round,” he added.
“It's fantastic to participate in this new format where female professionals are also contending for the main award. I’m eager to play alongside the amateurs. I want to express my gratitude to PGTI President Mr. Kapil Dev and Grant Thornton for reinstating this event on the PGTI calendar.”
Arjun Prasad, currently second in the PGTI Order of Merit with five top-10 finishes this season, recorded nine birdies and a bogey on Thursday. He achieved five approaches within five feet and successfully sank three birdie putts from distances of 10 to 12 feet.
Arjun remarked, “My game is in excellent shape, evident from my second consecutive round of eight-under. I also managed an eight-under in the last round of last week’s event in Delhi, making it feel like I picked up right where I left off.”
The tournament commenced with a trophy unveiling and ceremonial tee-offs by PGTI President, tournament host, and Indian cricket icon Kapil Dev, alongside Grant Thornton Bharat CEO Vishesh C Chandiok, Vinod Chandiok, leading Indian professionals Gaganjeet Bhullar, Tvesa Malik, and former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar.
This tournament merges the Professional Championship with an exciting Pro-Am facet, uniting professionals and amateurs in an engaging format. The three-day, 54-hole championship showcases 60 male and 12 female professionals competing for the same prize fund.
The event will also include three Pro-Am rounds in a rotational format, with 48 professionals teeing off in the morning and the remaining 24 partnering with 72 amateurs in the afternoon session.
Each Pro-Am team will consist of one professional and three amateurs, combining the professional's stroke play with the amateurs' scramble format for scoring. Prize money will be awarded to the top three professionals in the Pro-Am standings.
