New Delhi, 07-10-2014
Chikkarangappa, Vikrant, Anura, Kapil hog the limelight in round one of BILT Open 2014
Hole-in-one for Khalin Joshi
Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore, Delhi’s Kapil Kumar, Vikrant Chopra of the Noida Golf Course and Sri Lankan Anura Rohana hogged the limelight in round one of the Rs. 1 crore BILT Open 2014, the fifth Super Series event of the season, as they led the field with matching scores of five-under-67. Deepinder Singh Kullar of the DLF Golf & Country Club and Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh were one shot off the lead in tied fifth place.
Chikkarangappa, currently second in the Rolex Rankings and the Super Series Points Table, shot down five birdies on Tuesday for a flying start at the BILT Open 2014. Chikka, still recovering from fever, collected four birdies on the trot from the seventh to the 10th as he sank three 10-footers. The 21-year-old came up with a near-perfect chip on the 14th to pick up another stroke.
“My target at the Delhi Golf Club is to hit all 14 fairways. I managed 13 today and that helped me score well. I’ve started playing much better at the Delhi Golf Club since I turned professional. In my junior and amateur days I never made the cut at DGC. I used to use the driver here as a junior and amateur. But I now keep it out of my bag when I play at DGC. I’ve also got some tips from Anirban on how to approach this course. He asked me to start the ball on line and move it one way,” said Chikkarangappa, a three-time winner on the PGTI.
Kapil Kumar came back well after a bogey on the 10th as he picked up four birdies and an eagle on the 18th. His eagle came as a result of a magnificent approach shot from 230 yards that stopped six feet from the flag. The 22-year-old also landed his tee shot within a foot for birdie on the 12th. Kapil’s father Gast Ram followed him for about four holes on day one. Kapil and Gast Ram are the only father-son duo currently playing on the PGTI.
Kapil said, “I hit some great shots with the rescue today including the second shot on the 18th that set up the eagle. My second shot with a rescue on the eighth also found the edge of the green and led to a birdie. I’d like to capitalize on the advantage of playing at my home course this week. The fact that my father was following me on the course and encouraging me also helped my cause.”
Vikrant Chopra turned in six birdies against a lone bogey to be the joint leader. Vikrant made a 25-feet putt on the seventh and a 15-footer on the 18th.
“I hit it within four feet on a couple of occasions today and sank two long birdie putts. I feel I’ve come into this event with a positive frame of mind having shot a six-under in the final round at last week’s event at Eagleton. I used the driver on just one hole today and teed off with irons on all other holes,” said Vikrant, who has been quite consistent at the DGC in the past.
Anura Rohana was also one of the four joint leaders on day one. Rohana ended the day with seven birdies and two bogeys. His approach shot on the 11th and tee shot on the 12th led to tap-in birdies.
Rohana said, “I hit it quite close and didn’t have to contend with too many long putts. I played four Asian Development Tour events and one Asian Tour event in the last two months. These events have helped me find some form. It’s a great start and the seven birdies made it a highly satisfactory round.”
Md Zamal Hossain Mollah produced an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys to be tied fifth at four-under-68. Deepinder Singh Kullar had five birdies and a bogey on his card and thus joined Mollah in joint fifth.
Defending champion Rashid Khan shot a one-under-71 at his home course to be tied 18th.
Khalin Joshi of Bangalore fired a hole-in-one on the 12th courtesy a spectacular six-iron shot. Joshi also had two birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey in his round of even-par-72. He occupied tied 26th position.
Chikkarangappa mentored by Rahul Dravid
Chikkarangappa, the round one joint leader, revealed that he is being mentored by the legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, who also belongs to the city of Bangalore.
“I’ve received a lot of valuable inputs from Rahul Sir relating to the mental aspect of sport in the last few months. He is the brand ambassador of a foundation with which I am associated. I met him two months back and we had a long conversation. We’ve been in touch since then. He advised me to follow a particular routine each time I’m competing. He also asked me to be in the present and take each shot at a time and not get too ahead of myself in order to avoid pressure,” said Chikkarangappa.
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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