Jaipur, 04-09-2018
Anura Rohana fires top-notch 62 to seize first round lead at Jaipur Open 2018; Chiragh Kumar's 63 places him second
Jyoti Randhawa returns to Rambagh Golf Club after 25 years, enjoys solid start with a 66
The Jaipur Open 2018 presented by Rajasthan Tourism got off to a fabulous start on Tuesday as the host city of Jaipur was blessed with perfect weather conditions for a round of golf.
Sri Lankan Anura Rohana seized the first round lead with a top-notch eight-under-62 at the Rambagh Golf Club on a cloudy and pleasant day with low humidity and no rain. Delhi-based Chiragh Kumar was a close second thanks to an equally impressive 63.
Meanwhile, Indian star Jyoti Randhawa made a memorable return to the Rambagh Golf Club after almost 25 years with a solid 66 that placed him tied ninth.
Anura Rohana, a five-time winner on the PGTI, who has not enjoyed a great season so far, finally took centre-stage on day one in Jaipur as he delivered a 62 which featured two eagles, five birdies and a bogey.
Rohana, ranked third on the PGTI money list in 2017, produced eagles in quick succession on the 14th and 17th, both par-5s, thanks to some outstanding approach shots. He made the turn at four-under and then added four more birdies on the front-nine for a sizzling eight-under.
Anura, an Asian Tour regular, said, “After winning on the PGTI last year and then qualifying for the Asian Tour, I had high expectations from myself this year. Unfortunately, I just haven’t got going this season. But this round comes as a big morale booster and should help me turn things around.
“I’ve never played well at Rambagh in the past. However, after a good practice round on Monday, I felt my rhythm was back. The back-nine today lifted my confidence further and at the turn I knew that a low score was possible. On the front-nine, the long putts kept rolling in for me and that finally reflected in my score.”
Chiragh Kumar, like Rohana, also came up with his best effort of the year, a seven-under-63, to occupy second place in round one. Former Asian Tour winner and PGTI Order of Merit champion Chiragh sank eight birdies at the cost of a lone bogey on Tuesday.
Chiragh, who chipped-in for birdie on the third, said, “I’ve had a below average season in Asia this year. But this round will surely lift my game. I set up a lot of birdie opportunities by landing it within five feet on many occasions.
“I’m playing in Jaipur after 2015 and since then the course conditions have really improved at this course. In 2015, I had withdrawn from the event after the first round as I had got an entry into an Asian Tour event in the same week. But this time I’m relishing the thought of playing four rounds here as the weather conditions are also very good.”
Patna’s Aman Raj, who missed a hole-in-one by inches on the sixth, carded a flawless 64 to be tied for third along with defending champion Shamim Khan of Delhi and Raja BR of Bengaluru.
Among the local professionals, Hemendra Choudhary fared the best on day one as his three-under-67 placed him tied 19th. The seasoned Vishal Singh was the next best among the Jaipur pros. He was tied 52nd at even-par-70. Prakhar Asawa, the only Jaipur-based amateur in the field, shot a two-over-72 to be tied 85th.
Jyoti Randhawa marks return to Rambagh after 25 years with a classy 66
Jyoti Randhawa posted a classy four-under-66 to make a memorable return to the Rambagh Golf Club after 25 years. Randhawa, one-under through 14 holes, struck three birdies on the last four holes to end up with a four-under total and a share of ninth place.
Jyoti, had last played at Rambagh in 1993 while he was still an amateur. He was full of praise for the massive improvements in the course since then.
“When I last played here in 1993, the course consisted of ‘browns’ instead of ‘greens’ as the putting surface was sand-based with no grass at all. It was a totally different layout at that time as the polo ground next door also came into play.
“Since then this course has undergone major changes and improvements and can now be compared to some of the best in the country. The fairways and greens are in great condition. The tree-lined fairways require precision from a player. The humps around the greens and the bunkers also add to the challenge,” said Randhawa.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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