S.S.P Chawrasia has mixed memories of the Delhi Golf Club. He has won two titles — the 2008 Indian Masters and 2014 Panasonic Open India — here, and missed out a couple of times.
However, the Kolkata pro wants to carry the “good memories” on the course, and riding on those successes he carded a five-under 67 on the opening day of the $1.66 million Hero Indian Open on Thursday.
Chawrasia was a picture of consistency sans a double bogey on the 16th hole. He though managed to stay two shots behind the leader.
“My driving overall was decent except on the 16th when I pulled to the left and went into the bushes. I tried to chip out but couldn’t make the up and down from just 10-12 feet but it’s still all right,” Chawrasia said.
PGTI regular Sanjay Kumar was alongside Chawrasia in tied fifth on 67, also matched by three others.
American Daniel Im played a flawless seven-under 65 round to lead the 143-player field by one stroke. Close on his heels was Thai Prom Meesawat (66) and Spaniard Jorge Campillo, while Nacho Elvira later joined them on six-under 66.
French golfer Raphael Jacquelin, tied fifth on five-under 67, aced the fifth hole, the day’s only hole-in-one. “That was a nice hole in one I have to say. I hit an eight iron and got a little lucky with the bounce on the right side of the green. Someti-mes good things happen...”
Defending champion Anirban Lahiri dropped four shots but steadied his campaign with four consecutive birdies in his closing nine. Lahiri was joined by four others in tied 10th including Honey Baisoya (68). who hit four birdies and an eagle.
Among the top names, three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington struggled on the greens, owing to an aggressive approach, and could manage a one-under 71. Former winner Siddikur Rahman was three-under 69, as also Rashid Khan and Rahil Gangjee to be tied 16th, while Arjun Atwal carded a 70.
Others like Marcus Fraser, Ausralians Scott Hend and Scott Bar, Thai Thaworn Wiratchant, USA’s Peter Uihlein and home favourites Shiv Kapur and Jeev Milkha Singh managed even-par or one-under scores.
