Linkou, Chinese Taipei, 05-09-2019
Karandeep Kochhar scores a five-under-67 in Round 1 of Yeangder TPC to be tied second, one off the lead
India's Karandeep Kochhar produced six birdies and a bogey en route his opening round of five-under-67 to grab a share of second place at the Asian Tour's Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) in Linkou, Chinese Taipei.
Kochhar, who had finished inside the top-15 at the last edition of the event, trailed the leader Thailand's Kosuke Hamamoto, by one shot. Karandeep was placed in tied second along with seven others.
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Kochhar said, "It was a tough day. My round was suspended twice. I am lucky to finish before they blew the horn again. The second time we went out, the winds were really blowing hard on the last three holes. But I think I held up very well. I putted very well and I think that was the key.
"The greens are quite tricky here. They are not easy to read. My game, overall, is in a good shape. I am happy with the way I played. I made a good up and down for birdie on the fourth hole. My second shot went into the bunker but I hit it to 10 feet from there and made the putt.
"I really wanted to get the round done when I was playing the last few holes. I have been up since 4am and its been a long day. It's been awhile since I played this well. I didn't play as well in Sarawak. My putting wasn't good then so I went back home and worked with my coach, especially on my putting. I think that has really paid off.
"I played here last year as well. The Asian Tour is really nice to give me an invite this year. I remember playing in similar conditions last year too. I shot a seven-over in the first round and then a six-under in the second round to make the cut and eventually finished in the top-15.
"I think that experience of playing in this kind of rainy conditions last year has helped because I was able to handle myself better when faced with the same conditions again out there."
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Shiv Kapur was the next best Indian in tied 15th with a score of 69.
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