With a round of 68, Himmat Rai is the top Indian in the field at the Resorts World Manila Masters tied 10th along with four others. With a round of 69 Shiv Kapur is close at T15. Rashid Khan hot on the heel of winning Chiagmai Classic last week also tied with Kapur.
Singapore’s veteran Mardan Mamat and Daisuke Kataoka of Japan overcame gusty winds to post seven-under-par 65s and share the first round lead at the US$1 million Resorts World Manila Masters presented by 918.com on Thursday.
The 47-year-old Mardan, a three-time Asian Tour winner, was rock solid at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, hitting all but one green in regulation which yielded eight birdies against a lone bogey.
Kataoka, 26, needed only 25 putts in his seven-birdie round as he put himself in contention for a maiden Asian Tour victory in what is the richest golf tournament in the Philippines.
Reigning Asian Tour number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and seasoned Malaysian campaigner Danny Chia carded 66s to trail by one while 2011 Order of Merit champion Juvic Pagunsan led the Philippine charge with a 67 to share fifth place with American Anthony Kang, Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao and Aussie duo Terry Pilkadaris and Sam Brazel.
