Shaurya Bhattacharya takes charge in Kolar Open

As the curtains were drawn on the third act of the Kolar Open 2025, there was more evidence that power alone wasn't enough. The undulating layout demands cerebral navigation, especially on a back-nine laced with hazards that can unravel even the steadiest scorecard. Preferred lies meant that records hit pause in this inaugural edition of the event. Delhi's Shaurya Bhattacharya etched his narrative of ascent, with yet another round of brilliance. The 22-year-old, in just his second professional season, shot six-under 66 to propel his score to an eight-under 208 and a three-shot cushion over Udayan Mane.

Shaurya embodies the modern Indian golfer's journey: a two-time PGTI winner, including a victory earlier this year, with five top-10s in 2025 alone. His path, forged in Delhi's competitive cauldron, reflects the graft of countless range sessions refining an explosive yet controlled game. Starting the day two shots adrift in tied fifth, he ignited with three birdies in the first four holes—terrific up-and-downs showcasing the short-game artistry honed through years of pressure-packed amateur events.

The wedges, his trusted allies, continued their magic from the 10th to 12th, yielding three more birdies via pinpoint approaches that kissed the greens like whispered promises. Even the two bogeys in the final five holes, slips on a demanding stretch, were countered by two birdies, closing with authority.

"I hit it really well off the tees, my driving was great and I backed that up with good approach shots today," Shaurya reflected, his words echoing the authenticity of a player who keeps it in play, chasing consistency. "I made a good start on both the front-nine and the back-nine that kept the momentum going for me. The layout here is quite challenging especially on the back-nine. There are some scoring holes but there are also some holes that can really spoil your scorecard. So, you have to plan well for those holes."

This poise, built from the experiences of his rookie season last year, positions him as the frontrunner, his technique a blend of aggressive driving and delicate touch around the greens.

Challenging him is Pune's Udayan Mane, whose one-under 71 dropped him to second at five-under 211, a round that mirrored the ebbs and flows of a career seeking resurgence after a four-year winless drought. Mane, an Olympian whose story arcs from humble beginnings to international stages, entered the day as the leader after his course-record 67 in round two—a five-under gem on a blustery Wednesday. Yet Thursday brought a rollercoaster: seven birdies traded for six bogeys, including a brutal four-bogey streak from the sixth to ninth, where errant drives and missed greens exposed vulnerabilities in fairway accuracy.

Mane's craft, typically anchored in powerful ball-striking, faltered amid the wind-swept challenges. But Mane's mental fortitude—forged in the fires of last week's near-miss and a season of close calls—shone through with birdies on the 16th and 18th, to remain in contention.

Mane's pursuit is a reminder of the sport's innate cruelty but also its promise of redemption. Mane's resilience keeps the dream alive; his technique allowed him to salvage key recovery shots and clutch putting kept him within touching distance.

Tied for third at three-under 213 are Gurugram's Honey Baisoya, whose even-par 70 kept him afloat, and Nepal's Subash Tamang, who carded a 72 to share the spot. Baisoya, from DLF Golf & Country Club, brings a narrative of consistency, his game a product of Gurugram's elite facilities and the graft of PGTI battles, where fairway precision and putting touch have yielded multiple top finishes.

As the sun sets on round three, Shaurya's lead feels tenuous, not assured—the PGTI has seen some sensational final round surges, and the tricky Kolar course promises to spin another thrilling yarn.

Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images