In the opening round of the 2024 Vooty Masters at the stunning Vooty Golf County in Vikarabad, 19-year-old Shaurya Binu from Bengaluru made an impressive start by carding a remarkable six-under 66. Trailing closely behind in a tied second were Chilean player Matias Dominguez and Aman Raj from Patna, both just one stroke behind the leader.
Shaurya Binu, in only his second season as a professional, kicked off the tournament strongly by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the first hole and following it up with an excellent approach shot that led to another birdie on the third. Despite encountering a birdie and a bogey before the turn, Binu made significant progress on the back nine, securing four more birdies, three of which involved impressive putts ranging from 10 to 15 feet.
Reflecting on his performance, Shaurya expressed his enjoyment of the round and highlighted his strategy of making steady gains while minimizing mistakes. He praised the exceptional condition of the course at Vooty Golf County and acknowledged the importance of strategic play on the challenging venue. Shaurya also extended his gratitude to Dream Valley Group for organizing the event, mentioning his retention of his tour card by finishing within the top 60 of the Order of Merit in his debut season on the PGTI last year.
Matias Dominguez, the winner of the Qualifying School, showcased his skill with an eagle, four birdies, and a bogey, ultimately finishing with a score of 67. Aman Raj matched Dominguez’s score with six birdies and a bogey, securing a tied second position alongside Dominguez.
Meanwhile, Rahil Gangjee, Akshay Sharma, and Amardeep Malik found themselves tied for fourth place with a score of 68.
Local player Mohd Azhar, representing Vikarabad, posted a respectable 70 to be tied for 17th place.
Defending champion Manu Gandas struggled with a score of 74, placing him tied for 69th.
First Round Leaderboard: 66: Shaurya Binu 67: Aman Raj, Matias Dominguez 68: Rahil Gangjee, Akshay Sharma, Amardeep Malik.