Eugenio Chacarra shot a stunning second nine six-under-par 30, that included an eagle on his penultimate hole, to take the clubhouse lead early on the opening day of the International Series India presented by DLF.

The Spaniard fired a four-under-par 68 to lead from Filipino Justin Quiban and Danthai Boonma from Thailand, who, playing together, returned 70s at DLF Golf and Country Club – one of the toughest courses on Tour, where par is a good score on every hole.

Chacarra initially battled to get to grips with DLF on his first nine, which is the second nine as he started on 10. He made a triple bogey seven on 13 and then a bogey on the following hole. However, he then showed why he is considered to be one of the most exciting young players in the game by making three successive birdies. He dropped a shot on 18 before a stunning homeward half, made up of that eagle, four birdies and no dropped shots.

“It feels good to be back,” said the 24-year-old, already a winner on the Asian Tour at the 2023 St Andrews Bay Championship, also part of The International Series.

Justin Quiban. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I’ve been grinding on my body, on my game, and it’s been a great off season. I mean I was four over through four, I feel like I didn’t even miss a shot. I mean, the first three holes, I had three good looks for birdie, and I was even par.

“Then I hit a good iron that bounced, I think it hit  asprinkler head or something. It almost went by the fence, and I made a seven without any bad shots. But I still came back.”

Quiban also had an eagle to thank for helping to finish under par – something that not many will do today.

His came on the par-four sixth where he holed a gap wedge from 122 yards. It landed two feet above the cup and spun in.

He said: “It’s a tough, tough, course. One of the hardest we play. You can’t really chill out here, not at all. Yeah, you have to have full focus every shot. Never played here before. I’m happy with anything in the red, of course.”

Danthai Boonma. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Quiban hung onto his playing card last year, finishing 54^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, which took a huge weight of his shoulders.

“Last year, it was a battle. Honestly, yes, just, I wasn’t really hitting it well, but I was just really, just trying to use my experience to keep myself in the top 65 Yeah, good thing I did.”

Boonma has come into the week after a solid joint eighth performance in last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open – the season-opening event on the Asian Tour. Four birdies and two bogies saw him make the kind of start he was looking for in the star-studded US$2million event.

“I feel pretty good today,” said the Thai, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, the most recent being the Bangladesh Open in 2022.

“I’m really happy with my score today because I played with no expectation because it’s a tough course and that’s what make me play comfortably. Playing shot by shot and just keeping the momentum. That’s it.”

Sweden’s Charlie Lindh is the next best placed in the clubhouse with a 71 – one of only four to break par after the morning session.

Most of the big-name players are playing in the afternoon, including American Bryson DeChambeau, who made the turn on four under.

Play was delayed by an hour at the start of the day due to fog, meaning many will not be able to complete their first round today.

This week’s inaugural event is the first leg of the 2025 International Series.

It’s been a few manic days for Anirban Lahiri, the de facto host of this week’s International Series India presented by DLF. Story by Joy Chakravarty.

After yet another call disrupted his session at the range on Tuesday, Lahiri looked wistfully at his phone and said: “I have already charged it thrice today. It’s just been relentless.”

Lahiri, the only contracted Asian player on LIV Golf, has been involved with the US$2 million tournament from the conceptualisation stage, and played a key role in ensuring his good friend and Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau’s was able to make the trip.

Despite long days and various commitments, Lahiri is confident of contending for what would be his fifth Asian Tour title on home soil.

Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri hosted a golf clinic on Wednesday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I don’t think I’ve ever compromised on my preparation, because I am always going to be a competitor first. Come Thursday, I am only a player…nothing else,” said Lahiri, who is looking for his first win since the 2015 Hero Indian Open.

“I’m also a host, but primarily, my job this week is to go out and play my best golf and try and win the tournament. I haven’t lost sight of that at any point, and my preparation for the season and for this week has also been with that in mind.

“It’s not a case of being distracted, but definitely there’s the aspect of getting on a bunch of phone calls, trying to figure out logistics, trying to plan some things, and advising the sponsors and the Tour because they are leaning on my experience as a player and someone who is close to all the LIV players.

“So, my preparation is good and I feel very confident. I feel very excited. And obviously, it’s an added joy and motivation to be playing in front of the home crowd.”

Even if the trophy does not land in Lahiri’s lap, a lot is riding on the tournament for him. He is consumed with the idea of presenting India, and Indian golf, in the best light.

Lahiri pictured at a press conference on Wednesday with Paul Casey. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“To be honest, I still feel a little bit anxious, in the sense that I would love for the next four days to go off smoothly. I hope the weather holds. I hope the fans that we’re expecting to come out, which are unprecedented numbers (it’s sold out for the weekend with 20,000 people registering for tickets), do come and that all is managed well,” said Lahiri, who finished 16th in 2024 LIV Golf individual standings.

“So, a lot of moving parts still, but come Monday, hopefully, we can look back and say, ‘man, what an amazing event, what a fantastic turnout, what great quality of golf’. I will be very satisfied, but there is still work to be done.”

The thing about Lahiri is that he takes his responsibilities very seriously.

“As a ‘host’, I don’t think it’s pressure, but more like extra responsibility, which I enjoy because it’s a privilege,” said Lahiri, the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

“It’s an honour to be representing your people, your country, your home event. A lot of my friends have come out to play and I’m very grateful and thankful to them. They are here because I’ve asked them to, so I must make sure that they are looked after, and everything goes well.

“There is also a long-term view to bring LIV Golf to India. A proper LIV event with all the stars. Let’s see where that goes, but a successful week now will surely pave the way towards that.”

On the special bond he shares with DeChambeau, Lahiri said: “We are very close. Obviously, that goes without saying, but we have a closeness within the Crushers that is evident.

“With regards to coming to India and playing, right from the time when the four of us got together in Boston in 2022, Bryson has always been very, very curious and interested in Asia, especially in India, because I’m from here. So, when this opportunity became a reality, it was a pretty easy one for him to say yes immediately.

Anirban Lahiri. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

“What he has done with his socials and his media channels and the way he’s exploded as a YouTube phenomenon globally, I don’t think anyone since Tiger (Woods) has had such an impact in popularising the sport. His presence has created a massive buzz here and it can only be good for golf in India.”

It will be the first tournament of the season for Lahiri, and he said he has set himself simple goals for the year.

“I think the goals and ambitions don’t really change. Still trying to get my first win in a while. Still trying to get into the Majors,” said the 37-year-old Lahiri.

“Outside of those obvious ones, I just want to be a little more consistent. Last year was a lot of good golf, but there was a lot of below-average golf, at least by my own standard.

“I just want to hold myself responsible to my work ethic and my consistency, which has always been the cornerstone of my golf – putt a little bit better and drive it a little bit better. Those two areas I consider my strengths, but they kind of let me down a little bit last year. So macro and micro, but simple goals.”

SSP Chawrasia will attempt to achieve a rare hat-trick of titles at this week’s International Series India presented by DLF, by trying to win a third different tournament at the same venue.

The Indian star claimed the Avantha Masters here at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi in 2011, and six years later triumphed at the Hero Indian Open at the same venue.

Aged 46 and in the twilight of his career it will be a tall order – especially at an event that features the strongest field ever assembled in India, with the likes of American Bryson DeChambeau playing. However, Chawrasia is very clear about what he needs to do: “Hit it straight and leave myself 10-foot uphill putts.”

A completely different layout was used for the first win, while this week he faces the course that he played in 2017 – one of the longest and toughest on Tour – when he won by seven shots.

“You know, the course is so tough; left, right, water hazards, jungle and everything,” he explained.

SSP Chawrasia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“So, I was trying to play straight shots back then, as that’s my strength, actually. I was just focusing on that and making some good putts. I think that’s why I won. So, I would say that’s the key.”

In 2017, he had a huge lead playing the final hole, a demanding par-five, which has water down the left side, and chose to play three lay-up shots. He reached the green in four and two putted for a six. It his second victory in his National Open as he also won the event the year before, at Delhi Golf Club. It could have been three in-a-row, but he was defeated by his compatriot Anirban Lahiri in a play-off in 2015, also at Delhi Golf Club.

“I remember when I won in 2017 it was my first time playing the course that week, so I practiced a lot, playing 36-hole practice rounds, trying to understand the course. And finally, I did!” Chawrasia said.

He lost his Asian Tour card last year after finishing 101^st on the Order of Merit. Fortunately, having played on the Asian Tour for 25 years with great success, highlighted by six victories, he gets to keep playing through the career earnings category. He is currently 11^th on the table having won just over US$3.5 million.

He finished in a tie for 31^st at last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open – the season-opening event on the Asian Tour. That event was also played on a course where he has won before, Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

“Things were great to start the first event,” he said. “I was playing good actually, just a couple mistakes, but anyway I recovered. But yeah, it’s a great course, and I won the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2016 there.

SSP Chawrasia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“Definitely my game is in good shape. Because even last year, in the beginning of the year I was playing well, so I guess I’m playing the same. I’m in the same situation right now so I’m playing well now, yes.”

Chawrasia’s story is a remarkable one. He started out as a caddie at Royal Calcutta Golf Club, where his father was a greenkeeper, before going onto achieve fame and fortune as a tour pro. He was also runner up in the Indian Open in 1999, 2006, 2013 and has won dozens of domestic titles.

As he gradually winds down his career before the senior game, he’s looking to go out with a bang – so a return to DLF could not have come at a better time.

Scott Vincent is back playing full-time on the Asian Tour this year, and its flourishing International Series, having finished in the Drop Zone on the LIV Golf League last year, but he is typically philosophical about the road ahead.

“Getting back to LIV is not the focus,” insists the Zimbabwean, ahead of this week’s inaugural International Series India presented by DLF – the second event of the year on the Asian Tour, and the opening International Series tournament.

“The focus is to take care of all the little things and like, if that puts me back on LIV, that’s amazing.”

The Zimbabwean won The International Series Rankings in 2022 to secure his place on the league. Impressively, he finished 22^nd on the standings in 2023 but was 50^th last season, after a testing year.

Scott Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“Yeah, it was definitely challenging,” said Vincent.

“It put me in a lot of uncomfortable situations. Just, you know, when you’re not playing great, this game can be challenging at times, and that was the year I had. But you know, those are the times that you do learn the most about yourself, and maybe like what you’re prioritising.

“So, yeah, I learned a lot from last year, the past three years, to be fair. You know, I’ve got zero complaints about LIV, it’s changed my life. And I still get to play out here so that’s a huge plus. And you never know, if you have a great year, you could be back out there.”

He started the year well in last week’s season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, tying for eighth place.

He said: “Really great. I think, personally, just a lot of positives and kind of working on the things that are going to help us come November, December time. So, yeah, all in all, great. And obviously the week was great warm up for this week too, so looking forward to that.”

Scott Vincent pictured during today’s Pro-Am. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I mean right now it’s the Asian Tour that I have status on, and you know, I’m very happy to be out here and compete. And all these new elevated International Series events attract a lot of outside stars, so that’s great.

“And you know, you want to be playing against some of the best players in the world, and Asian Tour is offering that right now. So, yeah, everything’s great, we’re going to play out here and see where that puts us.”

He is no stranger to this week’s venue, DLF Golf and Country Club, a regular venue for Asian Tour events in the past.

“You know, it’s definitely one of the toughest courses I think I’ve played in my life, and every time I play it, like you’re always left with this feeling of I can’t wait to get back there and try again, because of how challenging and demanding it is,” he explained.

“I haven’t played it in the past four years or so but obviously remember a lot of the holes out there. You know, again, it’s great to play a course that tough early on in the season, it just kind of puts things in perspective from a game standpoint, and the things you need to work on.”

The 32-year-old from Harare played for Irons Head GC on LIV Golf while his younger brother Kieran was on the Legion XIII team, who claimed four team titles last year led by Spaniard John Rahm. Kieran also finished in the Drop Zone, so faces a full season on the Asian Tour. The Vincents are back 24/7 on the Tour where they first made their name, and all eyes will be on them to see what they can do next.

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma is under no illusion about the stern test that awaits him at International Series India presented by DLF, which starts Thursday at DLF Golf and Country Club.

The headlines may be about LIV Golf superstars such as reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau from the United States and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, The International Series Rankings winner last year, but Sharma is confident the local challenge will be strong thanks to the growth of the Asian Tour and The International Series.

Sharma, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour who has plied his trade more recently on the DP World Tour, said: “I can say this very proudly, but Indian golf has done so well in the last 10, 11 years since I have been a professional.

“A lot of the Indian players have applied their craft on the Asian Tour, and this is where I started as well – I won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2018 and that’s where things really started for me, that was my first big trophy and the Asian Tour has always been my home.”

Shubhankar Sharma after winning the 2018 Maybank Championship – the year he claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Picture by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour.

He is joined this week by an impressive line-up of Indian players, that includes Anirban Lahiri, who plays with DeChambeau and England’s Paul Casey for Crushers GC, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, the most by an Indian.

“I have always said that [about the Asian Tour]. It’s where I learned to compete with the best and where I got a proper introduction into international golf and it is very heartening to see what the Asian Tour has got with The International Series,” added the 28-year-old.

“I couldn’t be happier for the Asian players and it’s great to see where the game is going and not only for India but for all the other countries that are doing so well.  The fields are getting so much better, there’s more depth and the competition is so much more.

“I think The International Series events just shows that, I played in Riyadh at the end of last season (the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers) and I saw what the competition level was, it was low scoring but for me it’s amazing.

“For me it’s a homecoming – not only playing in India but playing on the Asian Tour. It’s much more relaxed and I know everyone so it’s a great atmosphere.”

This week’s US$2million event is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour and the first of the year on The International Series.

January 26: Julien Sale (main picture) made history today on the Asian Tour by becoming the first member ever to win on his debut. On Sunday, the Frenchman delivered a spectacular five-under-par 65 in the final round to claim victory at the US$500,000 Smart Infinity Philippine Open, also marking his first professional win.

The 27-year-old Parisian – born on the tiny Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, some 680 kilometres east of Madagascar – started the final round two shots behind overnight leader Tomoyo Ikemura and finished on 11-under 269 total despite making a bogey on the par-five 18th hole of the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.

With Japan’s Ikemura (68) and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (67) both chasing him, Sale reached the 18th tee with a cushion of three shots after he had made seven birdies and a bogey before that. Both Ikemura and Sadom birdied the last hole and finished tied second at 10-under.

“It feels great. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it feels so good to have my first professional win and my first win on the Asian Tour as well,” said the history-maker after getting his hands on the impressive trophy.

Julien Sale of France. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Coincidentally, the only member before Sale to win in his first start after graduating from the Qualifying School was Sadom, at the 2019 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open (his sixth Asian Tour start, but first as a professional). Sale also became the first French winner on the Tour in over 15 years, when Gregory Bourdy won the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open.

Tiger Woods also won in his first start on the Asian Tour, at the 1997 Asian Honda Classic in Thailand, but he wasn’t a member.

Australian Kevin Yuan (68) birdied the last to finish sole fourth at 282, while the highest-ranked Filipino star in the field, Miguel Tabuena (66), surged to tied fifth at 273. Thai Poom Saksansin (67) and South Africa’s Ian Snyman (68) later joined him at that score.

The sliced tee shot on the 18th hole was Sale’s biggest mistake of the day as the wind picked up and tested the players once again.

The champion said patience was the key for him.

“A lot was going through my mind when I started, but I played the front nine really solid,” said the man who lost his Challenge Tour card last year, missing 15 cuts in 23 starts last year.

“Today was a bit tricky; it was much windier from the start, while on every other day, the wind picked up in the afternoon. I missed a couple of putts for birdie on the eighth and ninth, but I stayed patient. That was the key word today: to stay patient.”

Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Sale credited his friend Stefano Mazzoli for the decision to come to Asia. The Italian enjoyed a successful rookie year with three top-10 finishes in the International Series eventsand was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year.

“The key moment for me last year was the second stage of DP World Tour Q-School when I felt I started to play much better. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the third stage, and decided to come for the Asian Tour Q-school, and from then on, I’ve been playing really great,” added Sale who finished 24th at this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying Schoooli.

“I’ve been carrying the momentum from then. All the failures I had last year, I kind of learned from it, all the mistakes I made, I tried to improve myself. And it kind of worked really well today.”

Sadom, who heads to India for next week’s International Series India presented by DLF, led after the first two rounds. Although he missed out on what would have been his third Asian Tour title, he was happy with his result.

“I think everything was good. I missed only one shot on the sixth hole, my second shot. I hit it pretty bad and made a double,” said the 26-year-old. “So, I was just trying to get back into the tournament after that. I am happy I could score under par today.”

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Tabuena, a two-time winner of the event, birdied his last two holes and said: “I felt I played really solid. Considering my four-over start on the first day, I believe that my game is there and I just ran out of holes. I’m still proud of the way I fought back after the first day, but I’m exhausted.”

The Asian Tour heads to the International Series India presented by DLF next week. The US$2 million event is being played at DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram at the outskirts of the capital New Delhi.