The Hindu : Yusuf in the van

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 04, 2003

Sport

Sport - Golf

Yusuf in the van

Chennai Sept. 3. Yusuf Ali from Kolkata fired a three under 67 for the lead in the opening round of the Hyundai Open golf tournament at the Madras Gymkhana Club course on Wednesday.

It was a kind of family affair on the first day of the four round event as Yusuf's cousin Rafiq Ali and his uncle Akbar Ali shared the second spot with Uttam Singh Mundy. All three turned in cards of two under 68.

Defending champion Mukesh Kumar shared the fifth spot with Ashok Kumar, Pappan, Monish Bindra and SSP Chowrasia. All five shot rounds of 69.

Yusuf started from the 10th with a birdie and had two more on the 12th and 16th but a poor tee shot on the 15 saw him bogey that hole. On the way in, he had two more bogeys but finished well with two birdies. "It was hot today but I was happy with the way I played,'' said Yusuf.

Uttam played flawless golf for the most part and his putting stood out on a day when he had just a solitary bogey, on the par-five seventh hole.

Selvadurai ahead

L. Selvadurai shot a 71 to lead the amateur field. D. Nagaraj is four strokes behind the leader.

Leading pro scores: 67 — Yusuf Ali; 68 — Rafiq Ali, Akbar Ali, Uttam Singh Mundy; 69 — Mukesh Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Pappan, Monish Bindra and SSP Chowrasia.

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