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Rookie Anirban Lahiri in lead

Sports Reporter

Gangjee in second place; Shamin and Jeev share third spot

FLUENT START: Anirban Lahiri’s seven-under 65 helped him stay ahead of others on the first day of the BILT Open golf tournament. — Photo: Sandeep Saxena

GREATER NOIDA: On a golf course promising high scores, rookie Anirban Lahiri’s blemish-free seven-under 65 helped him gain the lead in the unfinished first round of the Rs.80,00,000 BILT Open at the Jaypee Greens here on Thursday.

One shot behind Lahiri, was Rahil Gangjee at the second spot with a score of six-under 66.

A flawless Shamim Khan and Jeev Milkha Singh were tied for the third place on five-under 67 while six players — Gaganjeet Bhullar, Jyoti Randhawa, S.S.P. Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei and Mohammad Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, shared the fifth position at four-under 68. Despite a one-and-a-half hour delay at the start due to dense fog, the well-manicured Jaypee Greens did not let down those who adopted a controlled approach.

With most of the star golfers congregated at the top, the competition is likely to become more intense in the next three rounds.

However, 21 of the 118 golfers who could not complete their round have to finish the first round on the morrow.

Good show

Seeking a break after his first hectic season, Lahiri had reasons to enjoy his Christmas Day performance.

The 21-year-old, who started amidst a thick cover of fog, adopted a steady approach throughout.

Known for his long driving skill, he often landed the ball on the greens and reaped the benefits.

On the front nine, Lahiri had three birdies — on the first, fifth and seventh — but could not get one on a par-five hole.

“On such a course one can easily get greedy. I managed the par-fives well. I picked a line between being conservative and aggressive and stayed patient,” he said.

The Doha Asian Games silver medallist collected back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes and repeated it on the 15th and 16th to move up.

“I am more relieved than satisfied as I have not been playing the golf I am capable of,” said the Bangalore-based golfer, playing his first season in the professional circuit.

Gangjee earned three birdies each on the front and back nine.

Finishing his round late in the day, he birdied the first, second, fourth, 12th, 15th and 18th holes to give a tough fight to Lahiri.

Jeev feels happy

Jeev, who dropped a shot each on the third and 10th holes, played decent in his first Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) event. Starting on the back nine, the ace golfer had birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th. He improved his performance on the front nine for four more birdies – on the second, fourth, fifth and seventh.

“I am happy with the round. The course is playing excellent. Three more days left, let’s see,” the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader said.

Unimpressive

Randhawa was unimpressive on the front nine. He began with a bogey, followed it up with a birdie and was even-par in the rest. But, birdies on the 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th holes helped him gain some ground on the back nine.

The scores: Anirban Lahiri (65); Rahil Gangjee (66); Shamim Khan and Jeev Milkha Singh (67); Gaganjeet Bhullar, Jyoti Randhawa, S.S.P. Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei and Mohammad Siddikur Rahman (68).

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