Bhubaneswar: The Haryana duo Divesh Rana and Umed Kumar fired scores of five- under 67 to take the joint lead in round one of the PGTI NEXGEN's Dilip Tirkey Invitational 2025 being played at the Bhubaneswar Golf Club here on Tuesday.
Saurav Rathi and Bipin Mukhiya were placed two shots behind the joint leaders in tied third place at PGTI's first ever event being played in the State of Odisha.
Among the local professionals Pradeep Bhagat was the highest-placed at the INR 20 lakh event after he shot a 77 to be tied 37th in the 58-man field. The tournament is supported by Indian hockey legend Dilip Tirkey.
The PGTI has so far staged events in 18 States, two Union Territories and the National Capital Delhi.
The winners of this year's PGTI NEXGEN order of Merit will earn an exemption on the main tour (PGTI) for the 2026 season.
While thanking PGTI President Kapil Dev for considering the Bhubaneswar Golf Club as the venue for the PGTI NEXGEN event. Dilip Tirkey expressed "After hockey I have taken golf as my second sport, with a vision to nurture and promote the golf sport at the grassroot level so that the younger generation can take it as a professional career option".
