Hyderabad, April 14: Special Sharma delivered an impressive performance, carding a seven-under 65 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Boulders Classic. This inaugural tournament, featuring a prize pool of ₹1 crore, is being held at the Boulders Hills Golf and Country Club. The 19-year-old’s score not only secured him the lead but also set a new course record, which included an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, six birdies, and just one bogey.
Two-time PGTI Tour winner Shubhankar Sharma finished with a six-under 66, tying for second place with Vinay Kumar Yadav. This marks Shubhankar’s first appearance on the tour since the Tour Championship in Jamshedpur in December 2021. Special Sharma, who turned professional last year, capitalized on his familiarity with the home course to make a memorable start. He ranked 21st in the 2025 DP World PGTI Order of Merit.
Reflecting on his performance, Special Sharma stated, “I focused on maintaining my game early on and aimed to get into a good position. The eagle on the 14th hole gave me momentum. I hit a hybrid shot from about 10 feet and made the putt, which helped me move forward.”
Building on that momentum, Sharma showcased strong play, converting several opportunities from distances of 10 to 15 feet. He added, “I was able to capitalize on the chances I created and made some good putts.”
Playing in his hometown boosted Sharma’s confidence. He remarked, “It feels great to play in Hyderabad and stay at home for this event. Being familiar with the conditions definitely helps.”
Shubhankar’s round included an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole, six birdies, and two bogeys. He noted, “The course is in great shape, and as the week progresses, it will become more challenging, especially with the wind and pin placements. I had a good stretch in the middle of my round, where I saved some shots, including an eagle, which made a difference. Finishing well gives me confidence going into the next round.”
Vinay Kumar Yadav, 30, also scored six-under 66 without any mistakes, tying for second place with Shubhankar. He recently came off a playoff victory at the DP World PGTI NexGen event at Golden Greens Golf and Country Club in Gurugram. Among the pre-tournament favorites, Yuvraj Sandhu struggled on the first day, finishing with a score of 73, placing him tied for 55th.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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