Local lad Anshul Patel and Aman Raj emerge early leaders at Gujarat Open Golf Championship 2023

Ahmedabad, March 1, 2023: Ahmedabad-based Anshul Patel, playing at his home course, along with Patna’s Aman Raj fired opening rounds of six-under 66 to emerge as the joint first round leaders at the Rs. 1 crore Gujarat Open Golf Championship 2023 being played at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad.

Rookie Makoto Iwasaki (68) of Japan was one shot behind the leaders in third place.

Anshul Patel, who began the year with a top-10 at the Qualifying School to regain his PGTI card, was off to a cracking start in his home town as he picked up five shots on the back-nine making two long conversions and landing his approach within four feet for an eagle on the par-5 14^th.

The 27-year-old Anshul then hit it out of bounds on the third that resulted in a double-bogey for him. Patel then more than made up for the error on the third by adding three more birdies to his card.

Anshul said, “It was one of those days where I felt I could’ve shot anything. I started off really well and had a feeling I could go low after being five-under through the first seven holes.

“I won’t say that I have the advantage playing at my home course but I do feel a different kind of comfort at Kalhaar since I play here four to five times a week. On the other hand, on home turf there is also the added pressure of performing well in the presence of your family and friends and for your home club. So that is something one has to contend with despite having the home comfort.