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Imran Ali Mollah, Pankaj Maandiya Lead PGTI NexGen Phillaur Open 2026

Imran Ali Mollah and Pankaj Maandiya carded three-under 68 to share the first-round lead at the PGTI NexGen Phillaur Open. They hold a one-stroke advantage over a group of six players tied for third. The 54-hole event at Ranjitgarh Golf Club features a field of 90 professionals. The NexGen Tour aims to expand golf's reach in India by hosting events in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Key Points: PGTI NexGen: Mollah & Maandiya Lead Phillaur Open Round 1

  • Imran Ali Mollah & Pankaj Maandiya share lead
  • Six players tied one stroke behind
  • 54-hole event with 90-player field
  • Prize purse increased to INR 25 lakh
2 min read

PGTI NexGen: Imran Ali Mollah and Pankaj Maandiya take the honours in round one

Imran Ali Mollah and Pankaj Maandiya shoot 68 for joint lead at PGTI NexGen Phillaur Open 2026. Six players trail by one stroke.

"The NexGen Tour was launched... to provide equal playing opportunities to all professional golfers of India. - PGTI"

Phillaur, March 3

Imran Ali Mollah and Pankaj Maandiya took the honours in Round One of the INR 25 lakh Professional Golf Tour of India's NexGen Phillaur Open 2026 presented by R S Gill, being played at the Ranjitgarh Golf Club in Phillaur, Punjab on Tuesday.

Imran and Pankaj shot scores of three-under 68 at the Par-71 course to hold the joint lead at the second event of the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen season.

A bunch of six players were in tied third place at two-under 69. The six players included joint leader Imran's brother, Irfan Ali Mollah, Md Muaj, Krishna Verma, Rohit Boken, Ajay, and Aditya Raj Singh Chahal.

While Imran Ali Mollah produced five birdies and two bogeys in his first round, Pankaj Maandiya made five birdies and a double-bogey.

The 54-hole event features a field of 90 players. The top 35 players and ties will make the cut at the end of round two on Wednesday.

The NexGen Tour was launched by the PGTI last year with the objective of providing equal playing opportunities to all professional golfers of India and to increase the bench strength in Indian golf, which in turn increases competition and the level of golf. The NexGen also aims to take professional golf to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India, thus expanding the reach of the sport within the country.

The prize purse for each NexGen event has been increased from INR 20 lakh to INR 25 lakh this season.

The NexGen season will be the next three NexGen events of the season, which will be played at Lucknow Golf Club (March 10 - 12), Golden Greens Golf & Country Club, Gurugram (March 17 - 19), and Patna Golf Club (March 24 - 26).

The Professional Golf Tour of India serves as the official governing and sanctioning body for men's professional golf in India and is a recognised member of the International Golf Federation and the International Federation of PGA Tours.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see brothers Imran and Irfan Ali Mollah both performing well. Must be a competitive household! Good start for the season. Hope the cut is tight and we see some exciting golf in the next rounds.
V
Vikram M
While the initiative is good, I hope the PGTI is also focusing on the quality of courses in these smaller cities. A strong tour needs strong infrastructure. The double-bogey for Maandiya shows how costly one mistake can be at this level.
P
Priya S
So proud to see Indian golf growing! More events, more cities, more opportunities. This is how we will find the next Anirban Lahiri or Shubhankar Sharma. All the best to all 90 players! 👏
R
Rohit P
Good scoring conditions it seems, with many under par. The leaderboard is packed. Tomorrow's round will be crucial for the cut. Hope local boy Aditya Raj Singh Chahal from Punjab makes a move!
M
Michael C
The expansion plan sounds strategic. Building a wider base of professional golfers is essential for any sport to thrive in a country as big as India. The increased purse is a good step to make a career in golf more viable.

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