Teenager Harman Sachdeva and veteran Jamal Hossain carded matching 5-under 67s to share the opening-round lead at the DP World Players Championship in Nuh.
Eighteen-year-old Sachdeva, in his first full PGTI season, mixed an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys to set the early pace alongside six-time winner Hossain, who produced a flawless round.
Sachdeva’s highlight came on the par-5 14th, where he holed a 30-footer for eagle after a fortunate break off the tee.
“On the 14th, I didn’t hit the tee shot clean, it hit the trees and came back,” he said. “I still had around 210 yards, got it to 30 feet and holed the putt.”
He finished strongly with three birdies late in the round. “I stayed patient in the wind and focused on my plan. The finish was a big boost,” he added.
Hossain, meanwhile, relied on control and consistency in tricky conditions.
“The wind made it challenging, especially on the back nine, but I controlled my game well,” he said. “Driving and putting were solid, and I took my chances.”
A group of four — Taiga Tanaka, Chikkarangappa S, Rohit Narwal and Abhinav Lohan — sit one shot back at 4-under 68.
Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar is in the chasing pack at 3-under 69 (T-7).
What it means: Youth and experience share the lead — and the leaderboard is tightly packed.
What’s next: With wind expected to remain a factor, consistency will be key heading into round two.
Photo – PGTI / Harman Sachdeva
