Tarlac, Philippines, 18-12-2015
Gaganjeet Bhullar off to terrific start in Philippines, shoots 67 for share of second place in round one
Shubhankar Sharma, Khalin Joshi enjoy good starts in bid to earn Asian Tour card
Gaganjeet Bhullar of India was off to a terrific start at the weather-shortened Philippine Open presented by ICTSI, the final event of the 2015 Asian Tour season. Bhullar carded a first round five-under-67 to lie tied second, one behind leader Lindsay Renolds of Canada at the US$300,000 event.
Gaganjeet was joined by home favourite Miguel Tabuena, Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand and Korea’s rising star Jeunghun Wang, in joint second place at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.
Officials had earlier postponed the opening round and reduced the Philippine Open to 54 holes due to inclement weather.
Bhullar, a five-time Asian Tour winner, sank six birdies against one bogey without playing a practice round and hitting a single golf shot in the last two days.
“I didn’t play a practice round. I just walked a few holes and that’s about it. I didn’t do anything on Wednesday and Thursday and was really eager to get out there and hit some good shots which I did,” said Bhullar, who currently occupies 48th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
The Indian duo of Shubhankar Sharma (69) and Khalin Joshi (70), both striving to secure an Asian Tour card for next season, enjoyed good starts to be tied 11th and tied 18th respectively. Shubhankar is currently placed 76th in the Asian Tour money list while Khalin is in 67th position. The top-63 on the Order of Merit at the end of this week earn their tour card or exemption for the 2016 season.
Himmat Rai, a runner-up in Vietnam two weeks back, posted a 71 to be tied 38th.
Chikkarangappa’s 74 placed him tied 81st. Chikka, currently placed 72nd in the Asian money list, will also be looking to retain his tour card with a good finish this week.
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