Divyanshu Bajaj and Abhinav Lohan were the joint clubhouse leaders on the rain-hit opening day of the INR 1 crore SSP Chawrasia Invitational 2023 presented by TAKE Sports being played at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.
Divyanshu and Abhinav shot scores of even-par 72 in testing conditions as it rained for most part of the day with varying intensity.
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There were two stoppages in play of a total duration of 90 minutes on day one due to the rain. As a result, Round One could not be completed on Thursday. Out of a total field of 126, only 66 players playing in the first session could complete their first round on Thursday when play was suspended at 4:45 pm local time due to fading light. The remaining 60 players will resume round one on Friday at 6:30 am. Round Two will commence after the completion of Round One.
Divyanshu, playing on his home course, scored three birdies and an equal number of bogeys while Abhinav made three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. The thick rough this year adds to the challenge of playing at the RCGC.
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Defending champion Manu Gandas fired a 75 while tournament host SSP Chawrasia returned a 78.
Among those out on the course with unfinished rounds, Syed Saqib Ahmed was the best-placed being two-under through nine holes thanks to three birdies and a bogey.
TATA Steel PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan was one-under through nine holes while Kartik Sharma and Varun Chopra were both one-under through six holes.
Rahil Gangjee, who grew up playing at the RCGC, was even-par through nine holes.
