Thaindian News

Samui (Thailand), June 16 (IANS) Thai star Prayad Marksaeng snatched the first-round lead with a six-under-par 65 to give himself a one-shot lead over 23-year-old Anirban Lahiri of India in the Queen’s Cup Golf here Thursday.

Even as the 45-year-old Prayad shot seven birdies against a bogey, Lahiri had six birdies against one bogey on the tenth from where he started the day.

Other Indian scores included Digvijay Singh (68) in joint seventh and Himmat Rai (69) at tied 12th. Jyoti Randhawa and Chiragh Kumar shot 73 each, while Gaurav Ghei and Mandeo Pathania had 74s. Manav Jaini (75), Vikrant Chopra (77) and Sujjan Singh (83) looked in anger of missing the cut.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, in-form South African Jbe Kruger, Australia’s Gavin Flint and Finnish rookie Kale Samooja all carded 67s to stay within striking distance of the top two in the $300,000 Asian Tour tournament.

Lahiri, who claimed a maiden Asian Tour victory two months ago, said: “Before this tournament, I was struggling with my right shoulder and pulled out of a tournament in India on the last day last week. I still got that niggle but I am glad I focused on my golf today.”

Lahiri bounced back from his early blemish on the 10th hole with birdies on 13, 15 and 16. He birdied the first and then picked up further shots on both the par fives on his homeward stretch.

“I love the course and love the place. It’s not an easy track. You need to have a few rounds and you need to be smart and understand how the greens are shaped,” he added.