Report by Anand Datla
Crans Montana, September 4, 2014: On a low scoring day at the Golf Club Crans Sur Sierre, an even par 70 just could not cut it. With the low score at 62, Anirban Lahiri’s effort was only good enough for T71 at the end of an eventful first round of the Omega European Masters. SSP Chowrasia (75) and Shiv Kapur (74) brought up the rear end, after finishing the first round at T145 and T138 respectively. Gaganjeet Bhullar finished with a 73 to join a tie for 124th on the leaderboard. Richie Ramsay held sway after the first round, thanks to a stellar 62 that included an eagle and six birdies. (Latest Golf News)
Edoardo Molinari seemed set to emulate Richie, reaching 8-under through 17 holes. Rashid Khan was one over with four left to play. Jyothi Randhawa, Jeev Milkha Singh and Rahil Gangjee finished with a 72 to remain outside the top 100 at the end of the first round. Digvijay Singh shot a 71 to nudge himself into T93, one shot behind Lahiri.
The Asian Tour order of merit leader, starting on the back nine, made the turn in 32 with birdies at the 15th and 18th holes. But it went downhill after another birdie at the first hole – Lahiri made four bogeys, including two back to back at the seventh and eighth holes to settle for an even par score for the day. The inward nine took 38 shots and cost Lahiri any hopes of a decent finish after the first round.
Digvijay stumbled to four bogeys in his round, but three birdies rescued him to 71, leaving him in danger of missing the weekend. A pair of double bogeys and a bogey spelt trouble for Jeev, who settled for a two over score for the first round. Gangjee was also nursing his wounds from a pair of double bogeys, while Randhawa suffered the ill effects of a double bogey and two other bogeys. All of them have a mountain to climb on Friday just to ensure their presence over the weekend.
Overall, it was an unexpectedly miserable day for the large selection of Indian players at this event, sanctioned by both the European and Asian Tours.
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