Indorama Ventures Open day one leader Rashid Khan in action at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens course in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Rashid Khan held a one-shot first round lead in the $300,000 Indorama Ventures Open golf championship at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Delhi-based Rashid, a winner of 14 titles, fired seven birdies against one bogey for the sole lead on 6 under par 66 at the Rs 2.7 crore event, the DP World PGTI said.
Jhared Hack of the US, winner of the season’s first event, was second with a 5 under 67 that included six birdies and a bogey.
Arjun Prasad, Brijesh Kumar, Saptak Talwar, Manav Bais and Kartik Singh were tied for third place on 4 under 68.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid had two birdies and a bogey on the back nine. The 35-year-old, looking to end a seven-year title drought, then sank five birdies on the front nine for his overnight lead.
Good track
“The course is playing great, different from last time and the pin positions were tricky,” Rashid said later.
“But I came up with some good shots and putts and created chances for myself by placing the ball in the right places. I don’t have any expectations and just want to give it my best from here on.”
Besides Hack, the other overseas players who enjoyed a good outing were Frenchmen Clement Sordet and Pierre Pineau as well as Austrian Christoph Bleier, all of whom were 3 under 69 and tied for eighth.
Among the Ahmedabad-based professionals, Aditya Raj Kumar Chauhan (70) had the best opening round to be tied 15th.
Pre-event favourites Veer Ahlawat (71) and Yuvraj Sandhu (73) were tied for 22nd and 41st respectively.
Also read: Om Prakash Chouhan wins it with a late flourish at the Tolly
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