Beau Champ, Mauritius, 12-05-2016
Rashid Khan joint second on day one in Mauritius
Feroz Singh Garewal tied fifth in Malaysia
India's Rashid Khan took a share of second place along with PGTI member Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh on day one of the €1 million (approximately US$1.09 million) AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Khan and Rahman trailed the leader Adrew Dodt of Australia by two strokes.
Khan posted a brilliant round thanks to his solid driving and hot putter.
“It was really windy when I played my practice rounds earlier this week and I wasn't expecting to shoot a good round when I started out today. I played really well. I started well and that gave me some confidence,†said the 25-year-old, who marked his card with seven birdies against three bogeys.
“I hit the ball really good. I was able to find the greens and I holed some putts today. I nailed a 50-footer downhill left to right for birdie on the eighth. That was probably the highlight for me today. It's going to be the same game plan for me tomorrow. Nothing changes,†added Khan, who already has two Asian Tour wins under his belt.
Siddikur credited his brilliant short game for a commendable round where he traded five birdies against a lone bogey.
“My hitting was good and my short game was solid. I chipped in for birdies on the second and 15. I made some really good putts as well. I really enjoyed my round. It was windy but I enjoyed the challenge out there.
“I love playing on challenging courses because it sets me thinking. I expected the wind and I am glad I tackled it well! I am looking forward to the next few days,†said the 31-year-old Bangladeshi, who is also chasing for a third Asian Tour victory.
Chiragh Kumar was the second Indian in the top-10 at the first tri-sanctioned event by the Asian, European and Sunshine Tours. Chiragh, a winner on the Asian Tour last year, brought in a card of 70 to be tied sixth.
Five Indians, Arjun Atwal, Rahil Gangjee, Himmat Rai, Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa were bunched together in tied 36th with scores of 73.
Gaganjeet Bhullar (74) was in tied 55th, Shiv Kapur (75) was in tied 71st, Shubhankar Sharma (78) was in joint 101st and Khalin Joshi (86) was placed 124th.
Elsewhere, at the Asian Development Tour's PGM Bukit Jawi Championship in Malaysia, India's Feroz Singh Garewal was tied fifth at six-under-138, four off the lead, at the halfway stage.
Samarth Dwivedi, the other Indian in the field, occupied tied 47th place at one-over-145.
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Source: Asian TourÂÂ
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. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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