Taipei: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar maintained his good run from the Selangor Masters and fired six under 66 in the opening day of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) here today to trail the leader Angelo Que of Phillipes by one stroke.
Bhullar is tied second with Jason Knutzon of America while Que lead the day with a blemish free seven under 65. Knutzon also registered the first hole-in-one of the tournament.
Meanwhile another Indian Anirban Lahiri also had a good outing and it sitting pretty at joint fifth position withTaipei’s Yeh Wei-tze. Both of them shot 68.
Bhullar, bidding for his third Asian Tour title like the leader carded a flawless round and started off on a great note as he eagled the first par five hole. He then sank four birdies on 4,7,10 and 18.
Despite playing at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club for the first time, Bhullar showed that he could still sign for a score worthy of any seasoned professionals.
“This is my first time playing here. Trust me; I’m falling in love with the course layout. The greens kind of remind me of home, in India where I practised,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.
“I’m an aggressive player and I’ve been striking the ball very well. I’m also feeling really comfortable around the greens,” said Bhullar
“I would love to continue this form for the next three days and would be glad if I can win the trophy on Sunday,” added the Indian.
Lahiri who hit six birdies against two bogeys said that that weather was of much help to him and he enjoyed the conditions.
“It was a good day to play well. The morning conditions were good and the weather was overcast so it wasn’t very hot. It wasn’t very windy either. Because the sky was a little overcast, the greens were a little bit moist so it was soft. I think it was good playing conditions and it’s great to see guys shooing 6 and 7 under on this course. It’s not an easy course,” said Lahiri
“This kind of playing conditions definitely suits my game better. Maybe because I played the Pro-Am and hitting balls yesterday, I feel like my body has opened up today in this kind of weather. I’m much more comfortable with my swing and have more in control with my muscles than when it’s cold. We’ve grown up in these conditions and we know how to get it on. It’s definitely an advantage,” added the 24 year Indian golfer.
Lahiri sank birdies in the hole 2, 4, 7, 13,17 and 18 whereas he dropped bogies on hole 3 and 8.
Selected scores: Himmat Rai (71), Ajeetesh Sandhu (73), Chiragh Kumar (74), Digvijay Singh (75)
By Indian Sports News Network
