Rohan Dhole Patil’s record 64 pulls him level with Veer Ahlawat at CIDCO Open

Rohan Dhole Patil smashed the course record with a stunning seven-under 64 to grab a share of the 54-hole lead at 10-under 203 alongside Veer Ahlawat at the INR 1 crore CIDCO Open 2025 presented by Larsen & Toubro, the first-ever professional event at Kharghar Valley Golf Course (KVGC) in Navi Mumbai. The Pune pro, chasing his maiden title, erased Ahlawat’s benchmark 65 from the opening day and vaulted nine spots from overnight tied-10th.

Rohan, who began the day nine shots off the pace, chipped away on the front nine with three close-range birdies. Two bogeys on the back nine were more than offset by an eagle and four further birdies, highlighted by an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th as his sharp chipping and putting turned a good round into a record one.

“It was a day when all aspects of my game came together,” Rohan said. “My chipping and putting were particularly sharp on the back nine. I really enjoyed this KVGC layout — it’s a true test of skills. Breaking the course record is a special feeling and gives me a lot of confidence for the final round. CIDCO has done a great job with this golf course; I played it as a nine-hole and the new layout is excellent.”

Overnight leader Veer Ahlawat, who had opened 65-65, battled to a two-over 73 with three birdies and five bogeys but did enough to stay tied at the top for the third straight day. “I had a tough day and didn’t putt well, especially on the shorter holes where I should’ve taken advantage,” the Gurugram pro said. “But the game still feels good. The plan was to stay close to the lead, ride out a bad day and give myself a chance to come back strong tomorrow.”

Nepal’s Subash Tamang also surged into contention with a five-under 65 that lifted him to nine-under 204, just one behind the leaders and still hunting his first win. Italy’s Michele Ortolani slipped to a one-under 72 but remains firmly in the mix in fourth at eight-under 205 heading into what promises to be a tight final round at KVGC.

Photo – PGTI