India, March 26 -- Germany's Freddy Schott is only 24 yet appears a polished golfer. A bright young talent mentored by compatriot Marcel Siem, a six-time winner in Europe, he lost his card in 2023 but promptly regained it by topping Q-School. He achieved his first DP World Tour win in February, clinching a three-way playoff at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. The playoff rivals included Augusta Masters winner Patrick Reed.

On Thursday, Schott produced a brilliant 6-under 66 on a tough set-up to take a one-shot clubhouse lead in Round 1 of the $2.55mn Hero Indian Open DP World Tour event at the DLF Golf and Country Club course.

A bogey-free front nine with four birdies and bouncing back promptly twice after a first bogey on the 1...