Jamshedpur, December 3, 2008: Feroz Ali Mollah established a one-stroke lead after firing a blistering seven under 65 at the Beldih Golf Course during the first round of the Professional Golf Tour of India’s (PGTI) 6th TATA Open. Mollah made his way to the top of the leaderboard with the help of seven birdies. Ajeetesh Sandhu came up with a round of six under 64 at the Golmuri Golf Course to be placed second.

On Wednesday one half of the field played its 18 holes on the par 72 Beldih Golf Course while the golfers in the other half completed their rounds at the par 70 Golmuri Golf Course. On Thursday both halves of the field switch venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, play 18 holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa).

Kolkata’s Feroz Ali Mollah shot into the lead with a bogey-free 65. Feroz, currently 20th on the PGTI Order of Merit, sank birdies on the first, fifth and ninth to make the turn at three under. He then knocked down four more birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th to close his opening round with an outstanding score of seven under.

Feroz said, “I made the greens in regulation on all 18 holes today and had a total of 29 putts. It was a near-perfect round for me as not only was I very consistent with my driving but was also quite accurate with my short game. I set up many birdie putts because I hit the ball close on most occasions during the first round. The longest putt I made for birdie today was a 15-feet putt on the 15th. I also missed some easy putts for birdie otherwise my score could have been around 10 under.”

Ajeetesh Sandhu trails Feroz by one stroke as he fired six under 64. The Chandigarh-based professional came up with an eagle on the par five 16th and birdies on the fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and 12th. His lone bogey came on the third.

“I did not miss any easy putts today and had some good par saves. The eagle on the 16th came as a result of my 4-iron second shot that landed six feet short of the pin,” said Ajeetesh. He added, “The greens at the Golmuri Golf Course are in great condition and the course provides a number of birdie opportunities.”

Shamim Khan, Ali Sher and Yusuf Ali share third place with identical scores of four under. While Shamim and Ali Sher returned scores of four under 68 at Beldih, Yusuf Ali carded four under 66 at Golmuri.

Mohd Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh is currently in tied ninth position, having shot two under 70 at Beldih. Harmeet Kahlon lies tied 20th after returning even par 72 at the same course.Defending champion and PGTI Order of Merit leader Mukesh Kumar posted a one over 71 (Golmuri). Mukesh is tied 24th along with C Muniyappa (73) and Harendra Gupta (71), both of whom also registered scores of one over at Beldih and Golmuri respectively.

Jamshedpur’s Navtez Singh is the highest placed amateur at tied 24th. He carded one over 73 (Beldih).