By Rahul Banerji
Asian Games 2010 silver medallist Rashid Khan showed out as the early leader with a bogey-free 6 under par 66 in the Rs 1 crore Nissan Delhi-NCR Open at Noida Golf Course on Wednesday.
Tata Steel PGTI Ranking leader and Indian Open runner-up Veer Ahlawat, Dhruv Sheoran, Aman Raj and Manu Gandas, all from Gurgaon and the Delhi-NCR region along with Angad Cheema, and Jairaj Singh Sandhu were tied second on 4 under 68s.
Another group of seven shared eighth place including defending champion and NGC player Gaurav Pratap Singh and Q School topper Matias Dominguez of Chile on 3 under 69s, the PGTI said.
Playing on what is now his home course, Rashid Khan began with birdies on the first two holes thanks to a good opening chip-putt and an excellent second shot on hole 2.
He pushed ahead with two more birdies on the front nine including an outstanding up and down from the bunker on hole 8. On the back nine, Rashid picked up another two birdies, one from a 15-foot conversion.
Home comfort
Rashid said, “Playing on home turf always has its advantages. I was looking for a big number to get my rhythm and confidence back since I’ve not had a great first half of the year.
“After a week in Chandigarh, adjusting quickly to the green speed here in Noida will be the key this week.
“I don’t usually struggle with my putter, but the last few weeks, I’ve been putting pressure on myself because I wasn’t hitting the ball well. That’s where I lost my touch with the putter. I’m looking to regain my putting form this week.”
Gaurav Pratap was the highest placed of the Noida-based golfers in the field. Incidentally, Rashid’s team topped Tuesday’s Pro-Am as well, a good sign for the player who has been looking to hit his straps for a while now.
Round 1 leaders
66: Rashid Khan
68: Dhruv Sheoran; Veer Ahlawat; Manu Gandas; Angad Cheema; Jairaj Singh Sandhu; Aman Raj
Also read: Nissan Delhi-NCR Open tees off at Noida GC from Wednesday
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