Three-way tie for lead after opening day of Bengaluru Open

By Rahul Banerji

Mhow veteran Mukesh Kumar, last year’s runner-up Honey Baisoya of Delhi and Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta returned six-under-66 cards in round one of the Bengaluru Open Golf Championship at the Karnataka Golf Association course on Thursday.

While Mukesh had a flawless round, Baisoya and Gupta made six birdies and a bogey each on a windy day with Sri Lankan Anura Rohana taking fourth place at five-under-67.

Mukesh, who has won on most golf courses around India except a few including the KGA, opened with a birdie. He kept his approach shots close to the pin and reaped the rewards with four consecutive birdies till making the turn.

Tidy game

Mukesh, a winner of over 120 titles, kept the errors out on the front nine as well and said later, “I’m really eager to win here at the KGA as this is one of the few courses in India where I haven’t won an event.

“Over the years, I haven’t really read the greens well at this venue. But things could be different this year as I feel I have the measure of the greens this time around.

“My overall putting average has also improved over the past few weeks. I feel I’m stroking my putts well after a long time. I thank my brother and fellow professional Dinesh Raghuvanshi for helping me get my putting back on track.”

Baisoya, who finished a close second at last year’s event, made two long birdie conversions and set up two tap-in birdies on the back-nine to make early gains.

Despite a last-hole bogey on his outward nine, Baisoya, a two-time winner this season, sank three quick birdies on his way back. He missed out on an eagle too when his approach shot hit the flag on a par 5.

Baisoya said, “I feel the KGA suits my game as I read the greens well here and have always had good finishes at this course. However, I’m yet to win here and that is something I would like to change.

 “I’m in good rhythm at the moment as I’ve gone back to my old grip which seems to be working for me.

“I would like to thank my friend and fellow professional M. Dharma for advising me to make some minor modifications in my swing which has been beneficial for me since last week’s Asian Tour event in Thailand.”

On the mark

Harendra Gupta, who finished third at last year’s edition, was on the mark with his driving and short game as he went three-under on both the front nine and back nine.

Gupta said, “I’ve been on top of my game in the second half of the season and was also in contention at Digboi where I eventually finished third. So I’m currently in a good frame of mind and will look to make the most of it this week.”

Rohana mixed seven birdies with two bogeys during his round of 67 while there was a 10-way tie for fifth.

On scores of 68, were Bengaluru’s Dharma, C. Muniyappa and Mari Muthu, Delhi golfers Rashid Khan and Shamim Khan and Gugaon’s Digvijay Singh.

Defending champion Udayan Mane of Ahmedabad was a further shot back in tied 15^th. having made a strong recovery after dropping three shots in his first five holes. From the sixth to the 18^th he sank seven birdies and a bogey to submit a card of 69.

Also read: Jeev, the Royal Trophy at Hua Hin and a global golf award

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