SCORESHEET

October 12th 2010, Mumbai: Delhi’s Vinod Kumar blasted an astounding eight under 57 to take a two-stroke lead on the opening day of the Aircel PGTI Players Championship presented by The Willingdon Sports Club. This is the best score ever shot at an Aircel PGTI event held at The Willingdon Sports Club. Pappan, another Delhi golfer, is currently in second position, as he fired a six under 59.

Vinod Kumar came out all guns blazing at the par-65 course of The Willingdon Sports Club on Tuesday as he knocked down as many as 10 birdies against two bogeys. The 30-year-old picked up birdies on the third and fourth thanks to some decent chipping and putting. He then drove the green on the par-four fifth hole to set up his third birdie of the day. Vinod made birdie-bogey on the seventh and eighth to stay at three under at the turn.

The Delhi lad was in ominous form with the putter as he sank a 30-footer for birdie on the 11th and followed that up with a nine feet putt for another birdie on the 12th. The bogey on the 14th came against the run of play but Vinod came back stronger, picking up four straight birdies from the 15th through the 18th. The stocky golfer drove the green on the par-four 15th and hit his sand-wedge tee shot to within two feet on the 18th.

“It was one of those days when everything clicked for me. I hit it really close and also converted some long putts. Putting will hold the key this week. Whoever putts well is sure to shoot a low score. I’ve started off well in recent events but have not been able to finish the week with good scores. I’m looking to improve that aspect of my game,” said Vinod.

Pappan produced a bogey-free six under 59 to be placed second at the end of round one. He birdied the fifth, seventh, ninth, 10th, 11th and 17th.

Kolkata golfers Rafick Ali Mollah and Shankar Das and Chandigarh’s Randhir Singh Ghotra share third place at five under 60.

Amardeep Rawat, Chiragh Kumar, Shamim Khan, Sanjay Kumar, Abhishek Jha, Om Prakash Chouhan and Feroz Ali Mollah are a further shot behind in tied sixth place.

Defending champion Vishal Singh is placed tied 44th along with Rolex Rankings leader Ashok Kumar at one over 66.