The Hero Indian Open 2024 kicked off in Gurugram on Thursday, with some surprising names taking the lead on day one. While the pre-tournament favorites struggled, lesser-known players stole the show.
Unexpected Leaders Emerge at the Hero Indian Open 2024
Joost Luiten (France), Keita Nakajima (Japan), and Matteo Manassero (Italy) all carded impressive seven-under-par 65s to share the lead. The picturesque DLF Golf and Country Club provided favorable conditions with calm winds, leading to a high number of sub-par scores.
- Luiten’s Resilience: Despite a rollercoaster start with early birdies and bogeys, Luiten (ranked 129th) found his rhythm, finishing strong with four birdies.
- Nakajima’s Front-Nine Blitz: The young Japanese player (ranked 111th) tore through the front nine with a flawless 30, including six birdies. He maintained his momentum throughout the round, finishing at -7.
- Manassero’s Late Surge: Starting on the back nine, Manassero (ranked 187th) almost claimed sole leadership. A near-miss birdie putt and a chip-in eagle on the eighth propelled him to a bogey-free 65.
Indians Seek to Climb the Leaderboard
While no Indian golfer cracked the top-10, there were positive performances from some homegrown talents:
- Tied for 14th: Aman Raj, Om Prakash Chouhan, and Karandeep Kochhar all shot promising 68s. Chouhan, the 2023 Order of Merit winner, displayed his experience with a flawless front nine.
- Other Notable Indians: Shubhankar Sharma (70), Gaganjeet Bhullar (70), and Veer Ahlawat (69) also finished under par.
The Hero Indian Open remains wide open after day one. Can the Indian players climb the leaderboard or will the international trio hold onto their lead?
Can’t get enough of sports? Check out Sport Circle’s Youtube Channel here. Want more bite-sized content? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!