Aamby Valley, Maharashtra, May 6, 2009: Gaganjeet Bhullar leads the field by three strokes after day one of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Aamby Valley Golf Club. The Kapurthala-based professional fired a bogey-free six under 66 in round one on Wednesday to be placed at the top of the leaderboard. Chiragh Kumar, Vikrant Chopra and Nabin Mandal are tied second at three under 69.

Bhullar, fresh from last week’s win in Jaipur, made pars on his first five holes before converting a 25 feet putt for birdie on the 15th. After making the turn at one under, he sank three successive birdies on the first, second and third. His best birdie of the day came on the par three sixth, where he hit his six iron tee shot to within 15 feet of the pin and then knocked in the birdie putt. Bhullar registered another birdie on the seventh to close with a 66.

Gaganjeet Bhullar

“I could’ve had an even better start today had it not been for two poor chip shots on the 12th and 14th. But from the 15th hole onwards I got into my rhythm and made some long putts. Even though I missed a few short putts today, I’m quite satisfied with my effort. I just want to continue with what I did last week and focus on my goal,” said Bhullar, who is currently the leader in the Aircel PGTI Order of Merit for 2009.

He added, “This course has an awesome layout and the greens are true. There is lot of room to work with the driver. Since this course is at a higher altitude than most other courses in India, the ball also travels a longer distance in the air than usual. The course is playing half a club longer.”

Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar shot three under 69 as he birdied the first, third, sixth, 13th and dropped a lone bogey on the 17th.

Delhi golfer Vikrant Chopra and Kolkata’s Nabin Mandal joined Chiragh in tied second at three under 69. Vikrant made five birdies and one bogey in his round, while Mandal sank four birdies and dropped one bogey.

Vinod Kumar, Rafick Ali Mollah and Rahil Gangjee share fifth place at two under 70.