By Rahul Banerji
Veer Ahlawat was the leading Indian on 3-under par 69 on the opening day of the $1.5 million International Series Singapore on Thursday.
On a hot and steamy day where early starters at the Tanah Merah Country Club, International Series England winner Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe led the way with an error-free 8-under 64.
LIV Golf star Patrick Reed of the US who teed off in the afternoon was 1-over 73 with 21 others including last week’s Indonesian Open winner Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, Honey Baisoya and Jyoti Randhawa.
In all, 22 golfers from LIV Golf’s Invitational Series have travelled to Asia for this $1.5 million event and next week’s International Series Korea in Jeju Island.
While Ahlawat held a share of 18th place, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Shubhankar Sharma, and Ajeetesh Sandhu were a shot behind on 2-under 70 in tied 28th.
International Series Order of Merit Vincent was a shot clear of Malaysian star Gavin Green and three up on a group of six in shared third that included Thai standouts Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai.
Among other Indians in the field, Jakarta runner-up behind Bhullar, Rashid Khan and Patna’s Aman Raj were on level par 72s with the rest further behind.
Asia calling
For 2018 Masters winner Reed, it is a first time in Singapore and while he may not have enjoyed conditions out on the refurbished Tampines course at Tanah Merah, the Asia experience is one he wants more LIV members to share.
“I will try and pull as many players over to start playing some more events,” the nine-time PGA Tour winner told asiantour.com
“Because that is the only way you can grow the game by getting outside of your bubble and start playing different places.
“I have always loved travelling and playing, so to be able to come and play events like this is a real treat.
“I heard a lot of amazing things about the area and the golf course. To be able to come and experience it myself is amazing.”
Vincent topped the Newcastle International Series event and finished T11 at the series-opener in Thailand this March, and is quickly gaining a reputation on the Asian Tour’s new set of lucrative events.
“It was a great day, just got off to a really nice start, and then the momentum just kept going,” Vincent said on the Asian Tour website.
“Today was a really good day, a lot of things went my way, a lot of putts went in, so it was a good challenge trying to stay present and stay in the moment and enjoy each stage and not get too far ahead.
Good golf
“So that was the big challenge today and the golf was phenomenal.”
asiantour.com adds: Vincent’s brother Kieran, an Asian Tour rookie, returned a 68 along with 10 other players including American Peter Uihlein.
It was his debut on the Tour, and 30-year old Scott said he was expecting great things of his 24-year-old sibling.
“I have no doubt he will do something really special with his golf, and whether it is here or whether it is down the road it is going to be really good to see him playing well because he is very capable.”
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim returned a 71, impressively bouncing back from a four over front nine, with a five-under homeward half.
Also read: Brilliant Bhullar makes history with Indonesian Open treble
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.