Sunit Chowrasia, Mukeem Ali, and Dipankar Kaushal Lead at PGTI NexGen in Varanasi

The inaugural PGTI NexGen tournament in Varanasi saw Sunit Chowrasia, Mukeem Ali, and Dipankar Kaushal each carding three-under 67 to share the lead. Chowrasia, the current Order of Merit leader, reflects on his performance, while Ali and Kaushal also showcase their skills. The competition remains fierce as other players chase the leaders, with only a few achieving even-par or better. Discover more about their strategies and the tournament's unfolding drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 18:15 IST

First Round Highlights

In the inaugural PGTI NexGen tournament held at the BLW Greens Golf Course in Varanasi, three golfers—Sunit Chowrasia from Kolkata, Mukeem Ali from Mathura, and Dipankar Kaushal from Noida—each recorded impressive rounds of three-under 67, sharing the lead after the first round.

Sunit Chowrasia's Impressive Performance

Sunit, who currently tops the PGTI NexGen Order of Merit, arrived in Varanasi following victories at the Alpha Sports Academy Golf Championship in Patna and the Vijay Kumar Memorial in Lucknow. His round included seven birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey on the par-4 10th hole. Reflecting on his performance, Sunit stated, "It feels great to be tied for the lead. I started strong, but the double bogey on the 10th slowed my momentum. I remained patient and focused on my strategy, which helped me recover." He noted the challenging hot and humid conditions, emphasizing the importance of hydration and energy management.

Mukeem Ali's Climb to the Top

Mukeem Ali, who began his round on the par-4 fifth hole, also finished with a three-under 67. His scorecard featured five birdies and two bogeys, with a crucial stretch of three consecutive birdies from the 16th to the 18th holes. Mukeem commented, "My putting was excellent today, which made a significant difference. My overall game felt solid, and it's always rewarding when the putter is working well."

Dipankar Kaushal's Strong Showing

Dipankar Kaushal, starting from the par-3 eighth hole, recorded an eagle on the par-5 18th, along with four birdies, one bogey, and a double bogey on the par-4 12th. Despite some setbacks, he expressed satisfaction with his ball-striking, stating, "I hit the ball well and found 17 greens in regulation. Although the double bogey was disappointing, I bounced back with an eagle and created opportunities throughout the day. Overall, it was a solid performance." He praised the course conditions, noting, "I was pleasantly surprised by how well the course is maintained, especially given the weather. My strategy for the rest of the week is straightforward—continue hitting fairways and greens while capitalizing on opportunities."

The Contenders Behind the Leaders

In the chase for the lead, Delhi's Pawan Verma and Gurugram's Nikhil Sharma are tied for fourth place at two-under 68. Kolkata's Pratim Kumar, Souvik Nayak, and local favorite Hemant Yadav from Varanasi are tied for sixth at one-under 69. Scoring was tough for many competitors, with only 11 out of 72 players achieving rounds of even-par 70 or better on the first day. Imamul Haq, another professional from Varanasi, finished with a score of 73, placing him tied for 26th. The winner of this year's NexGen Order of Merit will secure an exemption for the main tour (DP World PGTI) for the 2027 season.