Gurugram, March 24, 2026: Over the years, one of the unique flavours associated with the Hero Indian Open has been the buildup. The Hero Shot Challenge kickstarts this week on the DP World Tour with some eagerly anticipated action, one that pits handpicked talent from the quality field for the US$ 2.55 million event.

With Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, completing this competitive gathering, it was a contest that was lapped up by eager spectators at the ninth green of the DLF Golf and Country Club.

By the time it was over, Hero Indian Open defending champion Eugenio Chacarra showed he is dialled in for the title defence with this initial success.

The man in the runner-up spot was Hero MotoCorp Brand Ambassador Rayhan Thomas, a key member of the young Indian brigade in action this week.

There were 10 players in the fray, and the group played the shootout in a knockout format with a round of 10, semi-finals, and final.

The round of 10 was played 90 yards from the hole, and each player had 60 seconds to hit up to nine shots to earn points.  

The semi-final required hits from 100 yards, and though there was no time limit, it required six shots from a player to be eligible for points.  

In the final, the players needed six shots to earn points, again without a time limit, but the distance was from 110 yards. 

Thomas delivered a first with the first 100-point shot in the Round of 10.