Sandhu, a 37-year-old former Asian Tour winner from Chandigarh, carded eight birdies against a lone bogey on the par-four 12th to set the early benchmark. Five-time winner on the PGTI, he made the most of the scoring opportunities on the course and finished strongly with birdies on the 16th and 18th, despite finding the greenside bunker on both holes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a good day, and I capitalised on the easier holes,\u201d Ajeetesh said. \u201cFinishing with birdies on the 16th and 18th was particularly satisfying. The fifth and sixth, along with a few of the par threes on the back nine, are more demanding, so you have to negotiate those well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Overnight rain softened the course and greens, while preferred lies were in effect. Sandhu also relied on his experience playing on the Asian Tour to manage the humid conditions in Chennai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe softer conditions helped, but hydration and nutrition are extremely important in this weather,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Danek, 29, matched Sandhu\u2019s score with a flawless seven-birdie round. The Czech, who is in his third season on the PGTI, was particularly effective on the par fives, picking up a birdie on each of them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy putting was very good, and that is always the foundation of my game,\u201d Danek said. \u201cI maintained the momentum throughout the round and took advantage of all the par fives. It is encouraging because my game has been developing well over the past three or four weeks.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh\u2019s Jairaj Singh Sandhu was the leading player behind the co-leaders, shooting a bogey-free six-under 66 to share third place with Delhi duo Rashid Khan and Pawan Verma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid, 35, arrived in Chennai in confident form after winning the Telangana Open in Vikarabad two weeks ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh\u2019s Jairaj Singh Sandhu was the leading player behind the co-leaders, shooting a bogey-free six-under 66 to share third place with Delhi duo Rashid Khan and Pawan Verma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Race to the India Championship determines the PGTI\u2019s season-long No. 1 player. The competition will also decide the top 24 players on the PGTI Order of Merit who will earn qualification for the season-ending India Championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n