Chennai, September 8, 2026: Ajeetesh Sandhu and Stepan Danek opened with matching
seven-under 65s to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the INR 1 crore Chennai
Open 2026 Powered by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), at the TNGF Cosmo
Golf Course.
Sandhu, a 37-year-old former Asian Tour winner from Chandigarh, made eight birdies
against a solitary bogey on the par-four 12th.
Czech Republic’s 29-year-old Danek joined Sandhu at the top with a flawless round
containing seven birdies. He is currently playing his third season on the DP World PGTI.
Chandigarh’s Jairaj Singh Sandhu produced a bogey-free six-under 66 to share third place
with Delhi’s Rashid Khan and Pawan Verma. Rashid, 35, arrived in Chennai after winning the
Telangana Open in Vikarabad two weeks ago.
Ajeetesh, a five-time winner on the DP World PGTI, made the most of the scoring
opportunities early and late in his round. His finish included birdies on the 16th and 18th
after he found the greenside bunker on both holes.
