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In a remarkable display of skill, 24-year-old Abhishek Kumar from Panchkula shot a flawless five-under 65, establishing a two-shot advantage after the first round of the inaugural PGTI NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial at Lucknow Golf Club.

Starting from the fifth hole in a shotgun format, Abhishek secured five birdies without any bogeys, positioning himself as the sole leader. Currently, he ranks fourth in the NexGen Order of Merit, having previously clinched victory at the season-opening DP World PGTI NexGen event in Faridabad this February.

Discussing his error-free round, Abhishek remarked, "Maintaining a bogey-free score was crucial for me today. I struck the ball well and consistently created opportunities. I hit 16 greens in regulation and managed to save par on the two holes where I missed the green."

He emphasized the significance of his par save on the sixth hole, where he sank a 12-to-13-foot putt to keep his scorecard clean.

Abhishek is also aiming for the top position in the NexGen Order of Merit, which offers an exemption for the main tour in the 2027 season. "Finishing first in the NexGen Order of Merit is vital as it provides a stronger category on the main tour next season. My win in Faridabad boosted my confidence, and I aim to build on that success," he stated.

In pursuit of the leader, 41-year-old Pawan Kumar from Delhi and local golfer Rishi Kumar are tied for second place at three-under 67, trailing by two shots. Pawan, who began his round from the third hole, recorded six birdies alongside three bogeys. His best finish on the main tour remains a tied-sixth place at the Jaipur Open in 2017.

Tied for fourth at two-under 68 are Sachin Chauhan from Faridabad, Ajay Baisoya from Delhi, Rajesh Kumar Gautam from Lucknow, and Kolkata's Tutul Ali.

Pawan Kumar, a consistent participant in the DP World PGTI since 2011, is making his first appearance in the NexGen series this season. This event holds special meaning for him as it pays tribute to Vijay Kumar, one of his earliest mentors.

Pawan reminisced about meeting Vijay during his debut professional season in Lucknow in 2011, where Vijay won the title while Pawan finished tied for third, just two shots behind. "I cherish my early days on the mini tour in Lucknow, where I learned a lot from Vijay Kumar and Sanjay Kumar, from practice routines to managing pressure on the course. I am thankful for their guidance," he reflected.

Regarding his performance, Pawan noted, "I started strong with birdies on the first two holes, which set the tone for my round. A highlight was a birdie putt from approximately 25 to 30 feet on the 10th hole."

Pawan regained his playing privileges for the 2026 PGTI season after successfully navigating the Qualifying School earlier this year.

The winner of the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit will receive an exemption for the main tour in the 2027 season.