Gaganjeet Bhullar charged into a two-shot lead at the Indonesia Open after shooting an opening seven-under-par 64 on Thursday, in a country where he won his first Asian Tour title in 2009.
The tenacious Indian, who is playing in his 10th straight event, held an edge over the chasing pack after shooting a flawless round highlighted by seven birdies at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
“The way I’ve been striking the ball from the first tee, I knew I could go low because my striking was right up there. Once my putts started falling, that’s when I went really low,” said the four-time Asian Tour winner.
Among other Indians, Sujjan Singh (67), whose sole international win has been in Indonesia last year, was tied eighth, while Jyoti Randhawa (69) was 22nd and Abhinav lohan (70) was 30th.
It was disappointing for Anirban lahiri (71) at 43rd and Shiv Kapur (72) and SSP Chowrasia (72), who were both tied 59th. Ajeetesh Sandhu and Himmat Rai (73 each), Chiragh Kumar (74) and Rahil Gangjee (75) will need solid second rounds to make the cut.
Young guns Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who finished tied fifth in the Philippines two weeks ago, continued to shine as they stayed two shots back from Bhullar.
They are tied for second alongside Americans Anthony Kang and Berry Henson, Korean Mo Joong-kyung and Malaysia’s Shaaban Hussin at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course at Damai Indah Golf.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, a three-time Order of Merit winner, was a further shot back in tied eighth while two-time Major champion Retief Goosen of South Africa struggled to a 72 for tied 59th.
leaderboard
64: Gaganjeet Bhullar.
66: Jazz Janewattananond, Anthony Kang, Mo Joong-kyung, Nicholas Fung, Berry Henson, Shaaban Hussin.
67: Sam Brazel, David lipsky, Sujjan Singh, Prom Meesawat, Thongchai Jaidee, Chapchai Nirat.