Bangkok, 18-05-2017
Gaganjeet Bhullar shines on day one of Thailand Open with a 65, placed tied fourth
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a top-notch six-under-65 in the opening round of the Asian Tour’s Thailand Open to be placed tied fourth, three shots behind joint leaders Janne Kaske of Finland and Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand.
Gaganjeet, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour last year, struck three birdies each on the front-nine and back-nine at the scenic Thai Country Club course which is playing host to the US$300,000 event.
Bhullar said, “The game’s feeling good. I hit the ball very good and I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities out there. I putted very well too. I holed about four to five crucial putts which helped. I started pretty solid. I birdied the first and third hole so that gave me a lot of confidence and some momentum heading into the round.
“The course is in a good shape. The greens are rolling smooth. I am looking forward to the next three days. I think my longest putt was on my first hole on 10 where I nailed a 25-footer. That gave me a good feeling for today. I sank a 12-footer for birdie on 17 as well. It was a crucial putt downhill right to left. It was a good putt.
“My best birdie would be on the fourth hole. I hit a driver off the tee and then a six-iron to about 20 feet before making a little curler from right to left. You need to give yourself good looks on the greens to score on this course. As long as you’re on the correct side of the flag and get to a good start, you should be able to do well.”
Himmat Rai was the next best Indian in tied 21st at two-under-69.
Khalin Joshi, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Prasad were a further shot back in tied 32nd.
Shankar Das, Chiragh Kumar, Rahil Gangjee and Jeev Milkha Singh were bunched together in tied 48th at even-par-71.
Sujjan Singh, Chikkarangappa, Shubhankar Sharma and Honey Baisoya were all in tied 72nd at one-over-72.
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