– In the main office at the DLF Golf and Country Club there is a fridge running at full power that is always chilling the champagne. Every time a double bogey or worse occurs on its course the ritual is repeated: the owner of the complex and the general manager grab two glasses, pull the bottle from the cold and pour themselves generously. They rarely finish a round standing.
– Obviously, what we have just told is a fabrication, but don’t think reality is far off. It’s the hallmark of the magnificent club in New Delhi that hosted the opening day of the Hero Indian Open today. That’s why a mischievous smile could be heard as Akshay Bhatia, the big star of the week, made his way through his first nine holes, from 10 to 18. A recent winner just three weeks ago at Bay Hill, probably the toughest course of the year on the PGA Tour, suffering to exhaustion. He posted 44 strokes on that stretch, with a crushing tally of two bogeys, two double bogeys, a triple bogey and a solitary birdie. Duels and heartbreaks. +8 to start.
– Afterwards class and grit showed in equal measure. Bhatia recorded a three-under on holes 1 to 9 and the champagne consumption eased. The American, a top-30 player in the world, started with a 77. He managed to save face and has still given himself not only a chance to make the cut, but even to fight for the win on Sunday. He already needs something special, but if the forecast rain doesn’t arrive, don’t rule out him ending up winning at four, three or two under par. It’s not an impossible comeback.
– Bhatia’s birdies didn’t go down well in the main office, but there was so much to celebrate for the rest of the field that it wasn’t hard to divert attention. Of the 66 players who completed their first round of the Hero Indian Open this morning, only 22 avoided double bogeys or worse. In other words, two out of three golfers did record them. The great carnage that comes around here every year. Of course, there isn’t a single card free of bogeys. That’s almost a given.
– The solo leader of the tournament is the Englishman Dan Bradbury (-4), winner just three weeks ago of the Joburg Open. He has one stroke in hand over Martin Couvra (-3), Calum Hill (-3), Gregorio de Leo (-3) and Niklas Norgaard (-3).
– Right behind them is the first Spaniard. It’s Jorge Campillo (-2), the most in-form man of the Spanish contingent. The Extremaduran was fighting for the win until the final putt as recently as five days ago at the Hainan Classic. He played almost flawless golf, with four birdies and only two bogeys. He only missed two fairways and two greens. In fact, he’s still left with the feeling that he could have made one less. A three-putt to finish on the 9th never leaves a good taste, but the overall takeaway is very positive.
– Great start also for Iván Cantero (-1) and Manu Elvira (-1). The Asturian displayed high-quality golf. He only missed a couple of shots all round, a hybrid on the 16th and a wedge on the 12th. The problem in India is that every missed shot is almost a tsunami. Even so, a good return of birdies, five. And even better from Manu, with six. Anything that means playing under par on this course puts you very close to the leaders.
– As for the rest of the Spaniards, Sebas García (PAR) had another solid start, followed by Rafa Cabrera Bello (+1) and Ángel Ayora (+2). David Puig (+5) and Ángel Hidalgo (+6) had more difficulties. The same comment made earlier about Bhatia applies to both of them.
