Digboi: PGTI Rankings leader Yuvraj Sandhu announced his return to one of his favorite courses, Digboi Golf Links, with a class-leading seven-under 65 score to take a two-shot lead in the first round of the INR 1 Crore IndianOil SERVO Masters 2025.
Yuvraj, a two-time winner of the IndianOil SERVO Masters (2021 and 2022), mixed eight birdies and a bogey in his first round of 67 at the venue where he won his maiden PGTI title in 2021.
Five golfers tied for second place with a score of 67. These included former champion Veer Ahlawat (2019), twenty-year-old Anshul Kabthiyal, Shivendra Singh Sisodia, Yuvraj Singh and Bangladesh MD Somrat Sikdar.
The IndianOil SERVO Masters, which celebrates its 25th silver anniversary this year, holds a special place in the history of Indian professional golf as it is the longest-running tournament on the Indian domestic circuit and in the PGTI. The tournament has established itself as the premier professional golf tournament in North East India due to the prize money on offer, the strong field it attracts each year, world-class playing conditions and the high level of competition. IndianOil has reiterated its commitment to the growth of Indian professional golf by increasing the event’s prize money to an all-time high of INR 1 Crore this year.
The strong support of PGTI’s tour partners throughout the year helps elevate the prominence of Indian professional golf. PGTI’s tour partners are Rolex, Amul, IndusInd Bank, Victorious Choice, Campa, Amrutanjan Electro Plus, Golf Plus Monthly and Golf Design India.
Yuvraj Sandhu picked up four birdies on the back nine thanks to some top-notch chip putts. The swirling wind on the first hole led to Yuvraj’s only bogey of the day. But Sandhu, who hit 17 regulation greens on the first day, bounced back with four birdies, including a tap-in on the second day where Yuvraj’s superb tee shot negated the difficult pin position.
Yuvraj said, “It’s great to be back in Digboi as I have fond memories of this place. I learned my golf in the North East and so I am familiar with the conditions here, especially the grass we play on. I have also played on similar grass on the Asian Tour in Taiwan. My batting performance today was simply outstanding. I couldn’t have asked for a better start and now I will focus on building on this solid foundation.”
Shivendra Singh Sisodia shot a 67 with two eagles on the ninth and 11th, one after a 15-foot conversion and the other after a chip-in.
Anshul Kabthiyal kept his card clean as he posted an eagle and three birdies for his 67.
Veer Ahlawat’s 67 featured seven birdies with two bogeys.
Dulal Kalowar from Digboi was the highest ranked among the local professionals after he shot a 72 to finish 24th.
