September 22, 2016: On a busy day for Indian golf, Rahil Gangjee lead a group of six Indian golfers in action today on the West Course of the Ibaraki Country Club. Gangjee shot an even 70 in the opening round of the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan. Keeping him company were Himmat Rai and Jeev Milkha Singh, who also shot an even score on Thursday.
Gangjee kept his business simple and clean. He went through his opening nine holes without incident for a solid start to his campaign in Japan.
Gangjee suffered a bogey at the tenth hole, but he made amends with a birdie at the 12th. He reached the clubhouse without any further change.
Arjun Atwal was down the order in T69, after he signed on two over 72. Chiragh Kumar (74) was lying T110 after a miserable second nine cost him dearly.
Despite scoring a sensational eagle at the par-4 8th hole, Jyoti Randhawa was left to lick his wounds, down in T122. He made an opening round 75.
Gaganjeet Bhullar had an eminently forgettable back nine. Odd numbers got him today, as he signed double bogeys on the 11th, 13th and 15th holes on his way to a 77.
Himmat started his round on the 10th tee. Though he made a birdie to start his day, a double bogey six at the 13th hole knocked him over par for the round.
Himmat made two birdies at the first and fifth holes to return to under par. But two bogeys in the next three holes, with a birdie sandwiched in between left him even for the day.
Jeev Milkha Singh was two under through eight holes, before making his first bogey of the day at the ninth hole. After six consecutive pars, he added one more at the 16th hole to remain even for the round.
Arjun made a birdie at the second hole, but undid the good start quickly. He conceded four bogeys in the next seven holes to make the turn in three over.
Arjun recovered by making three birdies on the first four holes of the back nine, but late bogeys at the 15th and 17th derailed him to a 72.
