The inaugural Trident Open 2025 at the Chandigarh Golf Club has delivered one of the most compelling storylines of the Indian golf season. With a prize purse of INR 1 crore and a strong international field, the tournament quickly evolved into a career-defining moment for 17-year-old professional rookie Manoj S, who surged into the lead after a sensational five-under 67 in Round 3.
At 17 years, seven months and 26 days, Manoj ended the penultimate day at nine-under 207, placing himself on the brink of becoming the youngest professional winner in PGTI history. The stage heading into the final day was dramatic: Manoj held a one-shot lead over the far more experienced Manu Gandas, the 2022 PGTI Order of Merit champion. Behind them, a cluster of players sat three shots further back at five-under. But it was clear that the final round would be primarily a two-way duel between a rising star and a seasoned campaigner.
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The Trident Open debuted with expectations of low scoring, with PGTI CEO Amandeep S. Johl projecting a winning number near 20-under. But Chandigarh Golf Club played significantly tougher than anticipated. Fast greens, winter winds and tricky pin positions kept the entire field in check. After three rounds, Manoj’s nine-under total sat well below the projected target
a testament to the difficulty of the course and the precision required to survive it. The field of 126 players featured marquee Indian professionals as well as international names from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy and the USA. The local favourites led by Chandigarh’s own Akshay Sharma and PGTI ranking leader Yuvraj Sandhu were expected to leverage their knowledge of the course. Their strong early play validated that expectation, as both remained in the top five heading into the final round.
Day-by-Day: How Manoj Climbed to the Top
Round 1: Gandas Leads, Veterans Shine
The opening round belonged to experience. Manu Gandas carded a flawless six-under 66, while veterans such as Shamim Khan and Shaurya Bhattacharya stayed close behind with matching 68s. Manoj started steadily with a three-under 69, keeping himself firmly in the mix. Play was suspended due to fading light, underscoring a long and testing opening day.
Round 2: Local Push, Leaderboard Tightens
The second day reshaped the top end of the leaderboard. Gandas slipped with a one-over 73, allowing Akshay Sharma to join him at five-under 139. But the most important movement came from Manoj, whose 69–71 start placed him at four-under and into a tie for third. With a projected cutline of +1, the top of the field tightened as the Chandigarh winds grew more exacting.
Round 3: Manoj’s Breakthrough Performance
The third round became Manoj’s signature moment. His five-under 67 was the round of the day and one of the best of the tournament. He produced four birdies on the front nine and repeated the feat on the back, showing a level of scoring control uncommon even among veterans. His putting was exceptional sinking multiple 10-footers, holding his nerve under pressure, and finishing with a superb 25-foot birdie on the 18th.
He even brushed with near-history: on the par-3 14th, his tee shot struck the flag before settling safely near the hole. The shot signaled not only precision but the confidence of a player unafraid to take on aggressive lines.
The Stakes: A Shot at PGTI History
Manoj’s position carried enormous historical weight. The record for the youngest professional PGTI winner belongs to Shubhankar Sharma, who won at 17 years, eight months and 22 days in 2014. Manoj, by entering the final day at 17 years, seven months and 26 days, was poised to break that mark by nearly a month. However, it’s important to note that the overall youngest PGTI winner is Karandeep Kochhar, who won as an amateur at 17 years and five months. But Manoj’s pursuit concerned the professional record the one tied directly to prize money, career momentum and industry recognition.
The comparison highlights his extraordinary rise: Sharma went on to global prominence, competing at Majors and winning DP World Tour events. That Manoj entered Saturday with a realistic shot at breaking one of Sharma’s earliest marks underscored the scale of his talent.
With only one shot separating Manoj and Gandas, the final round promised a gripping finish. Gandas carried the advantage of experience and knew how to win under pressure. Manoj carried the week’s best form and the confidence of five top-10 finishes in his last six starts.
The battle required two different mindsets. Manoj needed tactical restraint avoid errors, protect the lead, and trust his putting. Gandas needed early aggression, applying constant pressure to test the resolve of the teenager.
Regardless of who eventually lifted the trophy, Manoj had already transformed the inaugural Trident Open into a historic moment. His 54-hole performance not only reshaped the tournament narrative but also signalled the arrival of India’s next major golfing talent.
