Copenhagen, Aug 15 (PTI) — Shubhankar Sharma of India started his campaign at the Danish Golf Championship with an even par 71 at the Par-71 Furesø Golf Klub, finishing the opening day tied for 70th. Having not progressed past the cut since March's Hero Indian Open, Sharma aims to extend his participation beyond just the initial rounds this time.
Playing companion Veer Ahlawat ended the day with a 2-over 73, putting him in the precarious position of tied 113th, facing the possibility of an early exit.
Sharma's round commenced with a bogey on the back nine but included birdies on holes 12, 16, and 18. A drop shot on the 14th meant he turned the first nine one under par. His front nine witnessed a birdie on the sixth, but consecutive bogeys on eight and nine ensured he finished the day at par.
English golfer Marco Penge recorded a bogey-free 7-under 64, establishing a new course record, and took the sole lead with a two-stroke advantage. Penge made birdies across holes three, six, 11, 13, and 14, finishing strong with an eagle at the 18th. This solid performance is an extension of his consistency, evident from six top-30 finishes in his last seven events, securing his fifth place in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Penge leads by two shots from a cluster of five players, including former champion Rasmus Højgaard, who carded eight birdies in his five under 66 round. Sharing the second spot are 2018 Open Champion Francesco Molinari, Canadian Aaron Cockerill, Germany’s Jeremy Paul, and Scotsman Marc Warren.
Lucas Bjerregaard, last year's runner-up, is tied for seventh alongside six others.
Nicolai Højgaard had an eventful day, achieving two eagles within three holes. Starting his day two over par through ten holes, Nicolai holed out an eagle from 111 yards on the par four 12th. Two holes later, he repeated the feat on the 14th from 144 yards and finished with a birdie on the last hole, concluding his round at three under par 68, tying him for 14th place.
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