Ahmedabad, March 12 Rashid Khan, a prominent golfer based in Delhi, shot a brilliant six-under 66 on the opening day to take the early lead in the Rs 2.7 crore Indorama Ventures Golf Championship here on Thursday.
The 35-year-old professional, who has won 14 titles, including two on the international stage, scored seven birdies and one bogey in the opening round to take the lead over Jhared Hack, the American who won the first event of the season.
Jhared carded a five-under 67 in the opening round, scoring six birdies against one bogey at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club.
Five golfers, including Arjun Prasad, Brijesh Kumar, Saptak Talwar, Manav Bais, and Kartik Singh, were tied for third place, with a score of four-under 68.
Rashid scored two birdies and one bogey on the back nine. The veteran golfer, who was looking to end his seven-year title drought, then scored five birdies on the front nine to take the lead.
"The course is playing well, different from last time, and the pin positions were tricky. But I managed to make some good shots and putts, and created opportunities for myself by placing the ball in the right places. I don't have any expectations and just want to give my best from here on," said Rashid.
Besides Jhared, the other foreign players who had a good outing in the first round were Clement Sordet and Pierre Pineau of France, and Christoph Bleier of Austria, all of whom shot a three-under 69 to be tied eighth.
Among the Ahmedabad-based professionals, Aditya Raj Kumar Chauhan had the best opening round, scoring a 70 to be tied 15th.
Pre-tournament favourites Veer Ahlawat (71) and Yuvraj Sandhu (73) were placed tied 22nd and 41st, respectively.
