Thaindian News

Dhaka, Jan 26 (IANS) Gaganjeet Bhullar grabbed the lead for India on the opening day of the American Express Bangladesh Open Professional Golf Championship 2011 with a classic four under 68 at the Kurmitola Golf Club here. Bhullar’s compatriots Raju Ali Mollah and Keshav Kapoor are in the tied second with matching scores of three under 69. Defending champion Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh is placed tied seventh at one under 71.

Bhullar, a multiple winner on the Asian Tour, made a lone birdie on his first nine (10th to 18th) and added four more on his second nine before dropping his only bogey of the day on the eighth. The burly six-footer who hails from Kapurthala in Punjab sank a monstrous birdie putt on the first and also drove the green with a 3-wood to set up a birdie on the par four fifth.

Raju Ali Mollah of Kolkata made eight birdies against five bogeys to end day one in tied second place at three under 69.

Delhi’s Kapoor fired a bogey-free 69 to join Ali Mollah in joint second place. Kapoor’s round included birdies on the 17th, fifth and eighth.

Four golfers from Bangladesh Rahman, Md Sayum, Md Milon Ahmmed and Md Zakiruzzaman ended the day in tied seventh at one under 71 along with Anura Rohana of Sri Lanka and India’s Vikrant Chopra. Rahman made four birdies and three bogeys in his round Wednesday.