It was a disappointing start for the star-studded line-up participating in the Crompton Greaves Open on Wednesday.
It was a disappointing start for the star-studded line-up participating in the Crompton Greaves Open on Wednesday.
Gaganjeet Bhullar finished tied eighth at four-under 66, and Jyoti Randhawa, playing in Mumbai after nine years, was tied 15th at three-under 67 after the first round of PGTI’s year-ending tournament at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club. Rolex Rankings leader Chiragh Kumar and SSP Chowrasia were tied 34th after shooting identical scores of even par 70.
While the stars failed to impress, Delhi’s Ashok Kumar and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah kept their cool to take a one-stroke lead.
Both shot bogey-free scores of seven-under 63 to be atop the leaderboard. Lucknow’s Vinay Kumar fired a six-under 64 to be placed third.
Defending champion Mandeo Singh Pathania shared the eighth position along with Bhullar, Raj Randhawa, Akshay Sharma, Harendra Gupta, Raju Ali Mollah and Gaurav Pratap Singh.
Ashok started off on a good note, sinking his first birdie on the 12th hole. Soon after, he sank five straight birdies on the 16th, 17th, 18th.
Ashok, who has won a record 11 titles in PGTI, was also successful in converting a number of 10 feet birdie putts.
“I drove the ball really well. I found most of the fairways. The key to scoring well on this course is to drive well. I didn’t leave myself too many long putts as I managed to land it close quite often,” said Ashok.
Zamal was as impressive as Ashok and he entertained with his variety of shots from a range of 100 yards that set up birdies for him on the fifth, 11th and 12th.
“I was very good from a range of 100 yards and was in top form with the driver. I even made some excellent chip-putts. The course is in great condition, especially the greens,” said Zamal.
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