Indian golfers Yuvraj Sandhu and Shubhankar Sharma endured modest opening rounds at the Qatar Masters, while American star Patrick Reed continued his rich vein of form to seize a share of the early lead at Doha Golf Club.
On a day when scoring conditions were favourable, Sandhu returned an even-par 72 to lie tied 70th, while Sharma carded a one-over 73 to be placed tied 85th after the first round. With the cut line looming, both Indians will need sharper execution in round two to ensure weekend action.
Reed Carries Momentum into Doha
Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, maintained his impressive International Swing campaign by opening with a flawless seven-under 65. He shared the lead with New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, both holding a one-shot advantage over a tightly packed chasing group at six under.
Reed’s run over the past month has been noteworthy. After clinching a maiden Rolex Series title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, he followed it up with a runner-up finish at the Bahrain Championship. That consistency has propelled him to the top of the International Swing standings, and his start in Doha underlined his confidence.
Beginning his round on the 10th tee, Reed immediately applied pressure with three consecutive birdies. A bogey briefly interrupted his momentum, but further gains at the 16th and 17th saw him turn in just 31 strokes. Remarkably, his first par of the day came only on his sixth hole. On the front nine, he birdied the first, fourth and seventh holes before dropping a solitary shot at the par-three eighth.
The American’s aggressive approach off the tee and precise wedge play were hallmarks of a round that looked in control from start to finish.
Sandhu Shows Late Fight
For Yuvraj Sandhu, the opening round was a study in recovery. The Chandigarh golfer was two-over through 15 holes and staring at a potentially damaging scorecard. However, back-to-back birdies on his closing stretch steadied the round and brought him back to even par. Sandhu’s ball-striking showed flashes of promise, but inconsistent approaches into the greens cost him early. The late birdies reflected composure under pressure, an encouraging sign as he seeks to establish himself consistently at this level.
With the cut projected around even par or one-over, Sandhu remains within striking distance, but a sub-70 round will likely be required to secure a comfortable passage into the final two days.
Sharma’s Mixed Card
Shubhankar Sharma’s 73 was marked by volatility. The two-time DP World Tour winner produced four birdies but offset those gains with three bogeys and a double bogey. His driving accuracy fluctuated through the round, placing additional stress on his approach shots.
Sharma’s experience at this level, however, cannot be discounted. Known for his ability to produce low rounds under pressure, he remains capable of turning the week around quickly. A cleaner card, particularly avoiding big numbers, will be crucial in round two.
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Behind Reed and Hillier, a trio of Scandinavian players applied pressure at six under: Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, and Finland’s Oliver Lindell. They were later joined by Spain’s Angel Ayora and Italy’s Gregorio De Leo, though De Leo’s late bogey prevented him from sharing the lead. Another Swede, Joakim Lagergren, sat at five under alongside New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori, ensuring a tightly packed leaderboard heading into the second round.
A Milestone for Harrington
Amid the leaderboard action, Irish veteran Padraig Harrington achieved a significant career milestone, making his 500th start on the DP World Tour. More than three decades after debuting at the 1995 Smurfit European Open, Harrington became just the 50th player in Tour history to reach the landmark. For the Indian duo, the equation is straightforward. Solid ball-striking combined with sharper putting will be necessary to navigate the cut. While Reed’s commanding start has set the pace, the leaderboard remains congested, and momentum can shift quickly at Doha Golf Club.
As the second round unfolds, Sandhu and Sharma will look to convert steady play into upward movement, aiming to stay within reach of the weekend stages while the tournament’s front-runners battle for early supremacy.
