Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Feb 19: Two-time European tour winner, SSP Chowrasia launched his bid Thursday to win the Hero Indian Open on a resounding note as he fired a blemish-free six-under 65 to share the lead after the opening day of the tri-sanctioned event here.
The 36-year-old, who has finished second twice in the Indian Open, picked up six birdies to share the lead with Richard Lee (Canada), Chapchai Nirat (Thailand), Siddikur Rahman (Bangladesh) and Joakim Lagergren (Sweden) at the tricky Delhi Golf Course (DGC) here.
“I played very well and was bogey free. I made some good putts and was hitting it good off the tees. It looked easy but it wasn’t! My putting was good so that’s the key,” Chowrasia told reporters after his round.
“This is my National Open and all the Indian golfers enjoy playing in this event. I’m not thinking too much about the course, I’m just enjoying myself,” added the golfer.
A 10th tee starter, Chowrasia sank birdies at the 12th, 17th and 18th holes to reach the turn in 32 before picking up further birdies at the first, sixth and eighth in a flawless round.
Among others, S Chikkarangappa, Shubhankar Sharma and Chirag Kumar brought home a card of two-under to finish the day on the 15th spot.
Top ranked Indian Anirban Lahiri, who won the Maybank Malaysian Open a fortnight ago, had a forgetful day as he returned with two-over, courtesy four strokes lost in the seventh and two shots at fourth hole. He also birdied on first, second, eighth, 11th and 13th holes and a bogey at ninth.
Spanish legend Miguel Angel Jimenez was one-under for the day along with 1999 winner Arjun Atwal, while Jeev Milkha Singh was one-over and Shiv Kapur and Manav Jaini were at two-over. Three-time champion Jyoti Randhawa was three-over.
