Akshay Sharma took the lead in the first round of the INR 1.5 crore Chhattisgarh Open 2026 by shooting an impressive nine-under 60 at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur. This score equaled the venue’s record set by Khalin Joshi last year. Sharma’s flawless performance included five birdies on the front-nine and four on the back-nine, with two 15-foot birdie putts.
Sixteen-year-old Kartik Singh, making his DP World PGTI debut, tied for second place after a strong start with an eagle, seven birdies, and a bogey. Singh, a former India No. 1 Junior and Amateur, expressed satisfaction with his performance and acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament.
The Honourable Finance Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri O P Choudhary, inaugurated the event with a ceremonial tee-off and engaged with professional golfers and media representatives. Choudhary emphasized the positive impact of sporting events like the SECL Chhattisgarh Open in enhancing the state’s image and promoting sports. He highlighted the state’s focus on developing sports infrastructure to drive economic growth and social welfare initiatives.
