SCORESHEET

October 20th 2010, Panchkula: Vijay Kumar of Lucknow set the pace in round one of the Haryana Open 2010 presented by Unitech, Ireo, HUDA and Panchkula Golf Club. Vijay fired a seven under 65 to grab the round one lead. Balwinder Singh Mattu of Jalandhar and Sri Lanka’s Anura Rohana are tied second at six under 66.

Vijay Kumar looked in ominous form when he birdied the first hole with a 15 feet putt. He drove the green on the next hole (par-four) to add another birdie to his card. Vijay hit it within five feet to pick up three more strokes on the 14th, 15th and the first. The bogey on the second could not slow down the 42-year-old’s progress as he came back with birdies on the fourth, fifth and ninth. The veteran, who is yet to win his first title on the Aircel PGTI, converted a 20 feet putt for birdie on the ninth.

“I have been driving it well over the last few weeks and it was just about getting my iron-play going. I managed to achieve that today. I made as many as three birdie putts from a range of 15 feet and more and also converted a few chip-putts for birdie,” said Vijay.

He added, “The greens are playing really well and driving and putting will hold the key this week. I’ve shot some very low numbers at this course in the past, including an eight under 64, so I’m confident about performing well at this venue.”

Balwinder Singh Mattu made nine birdies against three bogeys in his round of six under 66. Mattu, who plays at the Punjab Armoured Police Golf Club in Jalandhar, had an amazing run of six consecutive birdies from the 11th through the 16th. Mattu hit his approach shots within a few inches on the 11th and 16th and chipped-in from the edge on the 13th.

The bogeys on the 18th, third and fourth did not dampen the Jalandhar lad’s spirits as he fired three more birdies on the first, fifth and eighth to finish the day in tied second.

Mattu said, “My ball-striking was great and I hit some very accurate chip shots. I also did not miss any putt. This is my best round as a professional golfer and I’ll look to capitalize on this wonderful start in order to post a good finish this week.”

He went on to add, “It’s important to keep the ball on the fairway to shoot a low score on this course.”

Anura Rohana of Sri Lanka shares second position along with Balwinder Singh Mattu at six under 66. Rohana made an eagle, five birdies and a bogey.

Ashok Kumar, Mandeo Singh Pathania, Amardip Sinh Malik, Md Zamal Hossain Mollah, Raju Ali Mollah and Abhishek Jha are all in tied fourth at five under 67.

C Muniyappa lies tied 13th at three under 69 while Mukesh Kumar is tied 15th at two under 70.