Asian Games: Good start for Indians

Report by Anand Datla

September 25, 2014: Feroz Garewal and Udayan Mane held Indian hopes together in the first round of the Men’s Individual event in the Asian Games today. The duo scored 70 in the first round at Incheon, just four off the pace set by Chen Tsung Pan. The Taipei national scored a sweet 66 to go 6-under to snatch the first round lead from local favourites Namhun Kim and Eunho Youm. The two Koreans made 65 to remain firmly on the heels of the leader. In the ladies individual event, Gurbani Singh and Astha Madan shot 75 each to sneak inside the top twenty in the women’s competition.

Feroz and Udayan had identical returns from the first round – both golfers were two under through the front nine, having made the turn in 34 shots. On the inward nine, both players stayed an even 36 to finish the day two under on the par 72 course. Samarth Dwivedi was also in the mix for the first half of the day, but he failed to capitalise on his 34 in the first nine holes, as he signed off on a 71 having suffered some pain on the back nine.

Manu Gandas looked like he was right in the mix after a 33 off the first nine holes catapulted him inside the top 5, but his form dipped as he made his way back. Gandas needed 38 on his return march as he too settled for a 71 at the end of the day. Garewal and Mane were T9 while Dwivedi and Gandas were T20 at the end of the first round at the Dream Park Country Club.

Among the ladies – Gurbani was the top Indian along with Astha Madan, but both these women were eight shots behind the leader, leaving them plenty of work to do over the next three days. Supamas Sangchan was leading the way with a 67 in the first round. Gurbani and Madan needed 75 shots to complete their work for the day, with the form needing 38 on the front and 37 on her return path. Madan though was set for a good run, after being 1-under through the first nine holes.

But an untidy 40 on her way back hurt her card and shoved the score down to 75. Meanwhile, the other Indian golfer, Aditi Ashok made a 78, but her 6-over effort was still good enough for T22 at the end of the first round of the individual competition.