I was just glad I didn’t shoot 80: Golfer Akshay Bhatia

Golf is both a great leveller and a demanding teacher. It rewards well but punishes even the smallest errors. Yet, nothing is beyond repair — the key is patience and never giving up. The opening round of the 2026 Hero Indian Open at the challenging DLF Golf and Country Club was a reminder of that.

I had a tough start on the back nine. A lost ball on the 10th — my first hole — set the tone. I then made a rare mistake, hitting a wrong ball that led to a triple, followed by another double on the 18th. By the end of nine holes, I was eightover.




I reset for the second nine, aiming to recover with birdies. As I got more comfortable with the course, I picked up three birdies without further errors. There are good scores out there, but I still believe even par is achievable with a strong second round. Walking off, I was just glad I hadn’t shot 80.

Beyond the course, my time in India has been special. While my focus remains on the tournament, the food, culture and experiences have made it memorable.

(AKSHAY BHATIA IS A PROFESSIONAL GOLFER AND HERO MOTOCORP GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR)Stay updated with the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.