Sandhu opens with 65 to lead by two at IndianOil SERVO Masters

PGTI Ranking leader Yuvraj Sandhu made a smooth return to one of his favourite venues, firing a seven-under 65 to take the first-round lead at the IndianOil SERVO Masters at Digboi Golf Links.

Sandhu, a two-time champion here, mixed eight birdies and a lone bogey on Thursday to build a two-shot cushion in the 25th edition of the longest-running event on the PGTI. The Digboi layout has been good to him — it was the site of his first tour win in 2021 — and he looked fully at ease again, hitting 17 greens in regulation.

“I learnt my golf in the North-East, so the conditions feel familiar,” Sandhu said. “My ball-striking was outstanding today. I couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

Five players are tied for second at 67, including former champion Veer Ahlawat, rising talent Anshul Kabthiyal, Shivendra Singh Sisodia, Yuvraj Singh, and Bangladesh’s Md Somrat Sikdar. Sisodia’s round featured two eagles, while Kabthiyal kept a clean card with an eagle and three birdies.

Digboi local Dulal Kalowar opened with a 72 to sit tied-24th.

This year marks a silver-jubilee milestone for the IndianOil SERVO Masters, now boasting a record INR 1 crore purse as it continues its role as North-East India’s premier professional event.

Photo – PGTI