Written by: Anjali Mishra

The Saudi International has kick-started the Asian Tour’s 2022-23 season today at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club. The opening round of 'Saudi International' ended with Indian golfers on top of the leaderboard. The first day of the four-day event was packed with excitement and entertainment, and it was nothing short of a treat for Indian golf fans. The players took a good lead on the first day of the event in order to get an advantage for the rest of the competition.

Rashid Khan tied on rank 7th, Round 1 (Pic Credit:Asian Tour)

India's Shiv Kapur landed four birdies on the back nine, including three in the last four, to lie tied seventh with a five-under card at the star-studded $5 million Saudi International Golf Championship here Thursday. Kapur was lying T-7th alongside former world no 1 Dustin Johnson and the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Kim Joohyung, who also shot 65 each. Kapur, who turns 40 in less than 10 days, carded 65 and was three behind surprise leader Italian Matteo Manassero (62). England's Sam Horsfield and Spaniard Adri Arnaus carded 64 each and were tied-second.

Rashid Khan from India was seen playing it beautifully today, he is just 4 shots behind the leader. He hit six birdies at the 2nd, 8th, 10th, 12th, 17th and 18th  holes. His soothing swing kept rolling the eyes of spectators over him. However, he only scored two single bogeys at the 1st and 9th hole. He would eye on being more economical as the tournament progresses. He scored 66 playing at the Royal Greens Golf and Country club course, which is phenomenal and finished the round on T-13 rank.

Another Indian golfer, Shubhankar Sharma performed outstandingly on day 1 of the tournament and finished the round in position T23. He started his game from hole 10th where he managed to collect 3 birdies on holes 11th, 12th and 13th spontaneously. Then in his second round he played slightly lower than first but managed to collect one birdie on 8th hole and a single bogey on 6th hole and  with that he finished his day on the total of 67 at three under par. Shiv Kapur on the other hand headed the Indian team with a score of 5 under par 65 placing T7.

Matteo Manassero on rank 1st, Round 1 (Pic Credit: Asian Tour)

Matteo Manassero had a solid start, as he kicked off the competition and leading the scoreboard with a score of 62 at eight under par. He managed to collect  eight birdies. The player impressed the spectators with his skyrocketing shots down the  Royal Greens Golf and Country Club course. He has got the rhythm and would strive to maintain it in the further rounds.