Chopra sets early pace at Shubhkamna Champions golf

Noida - Daniel Chopra took the first round lead on the opening day of the Shubhkamna Champions golf tournament, an event hosted by Jeev Milkha Singh, at the Noida Golf Club here Friday.

Chopra carded 64 and took a two-shot lead over young Ajeetesh Sandhu (66) and Sri Lankan Anura Rohana (66).

Gaganjeet Bhullar, widely tipped as Jeev Milkha Singh’s successor in Indian golf, was fourth at 67, while Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Mukesh Kumar carded 68 each.

Jeev Milkha himself carded 69 and lay tied eighth with Anirban Lahiri and Abhijit Chadha. Arjun Atwal shot 70.

Chopra, who has been in lead at various times over last two weeks in Thailand and Malaysia carried on as he had a brilliant round with eight birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.

“It was great. It was a fantastic. I played well, drove nicely, and putted nicely, despite missing two putts inside three feet. It could have been a really low round,” said Chopra.

“With the shot gun start I can’t remember where the birdies came, but the eagle was, I think, on 17. I had a mix of long and short putts. I missed a two-footer for birdie on 11th and missed a three-footer for par on 18th. The key here is driving straight and putting well.”

The second round will see Jeev go out with Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa, while Daniel Chopra plays with Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar.