Bhullar tied 24th at Asian Tour International
By IANSThursday, February 4, 2010
BANGKOK - Gaganjeet Bhullar dropped two late bogeys and spoilt his scorecard to finish with a one-under 71 that still saw him as the best-placed Indian at tied 24th place after the first round of the Asian Tour International here.
Kunal Bhasin, Australian of Indian origin, who plays on Aircel Indian PGTI Tour, shot a two-under 70 to be tied 12th in his first tournament on Asian Tour. Starting on the tenth he was one-over for his first nine holes and then found three birdies between the first and fifth holes for his 70.
Bhullar was three behind Thailand’s rising star Kiradech Aphibarnrat who battled to a four-under-par 68 to share the first round lead with American Jason Knutzon and Brazilian newcomer Lucas Lee at the season-opening event.
Bhullar had birdies on fifth and 13th but bogeyed 15th and 16th to make him even par. A birdie at the end on 18th saw him back in red numbers.
Rahil Gangjee had an eagle on second and later one birdie on 15th, but bogeys on sixth, 12th and 18th meant he carded a 72 and was 38th.
Of the other Indians, Himmat Rai (77) was 123rd, C. Muniyappa (78) was 128th and Gaurav Ghei went to a 81 in 137th place.
The 20-year-old Kiradech, a former world junior champion, rolled in five birdies to join Knutzon, who played despite being ill, and Lee atop the leaderboard at the $300,000 event.
Filipino Mars Pucay shot the seasons first hole in one en route to a 69 to trail in tied fourth place with Singaporean duo Quincy Quek and Lam Chih Bing, Swedens Richard Karlberg, Koreas Kim Dae-hyun, Australian Rohan Blizard, Thailands 14-year-old amateur Atiwit Janewattananond and Hideto Tanihara, an eight-time winner in Japan.
Defending champion James Kamte of South Africa, whose clubs arrived on Wednesday night, was four under through 10 holes but stumbled home with five bogeys to settle for a 73.
