June 5, 2014. Indians are playing to a mixed bag in Santiburi Samui Country Club. Some of the prominent names like Manav Jaini, Rahil Gangee and Chiragh Kumar seem to be leading among Indians on day one. Big names like Jyoti Randhawa, Anirban Lahiri surprisingly scored over par.
Manav Jaini led the tournament scoring two under par, with 4 birdies with some more holes to. Chiragh Kumar, also played well with a one under par 71 picked up four birdies but could have got a better finish had it not been for three ugly bogies. Rahil Gangee who had a good start with a birdie could not sustain enough and ended at par.
[Also watch Round 1 Report ]
The big surprise, newly wed and in-form Anirban Lahiri, who is leading the Asian Order of Merit, did not have a dream start. He scored four over 71. He was hurt by bogies on 2nd, 11th and 12th holes disappointing his game a bit.
Angad Cheema signed off with one over par 71. His 3 bogeys made it a flat opening for him at the Queen’s Cup but surely he would be hopeful of improving over tomorrow. Also in the same score-boat, Abhijit Singh Chadha closed with one over par 71 but getting an eagle on the 16th certainly made his day worth it. Chikka S, who was on a high after winning the Surya Nepal Masters, fared poorly when he signed off with six over par 71.
Queen’s Cup has always been special and exciting because it has Asia’s top players contending against each other. Lahiri got in there after ten days of celebration and almost no sleep. As India’s star player in the mix, he would be hoping to get better over the next few days. And thank god he has his lady luck Ipsa Jamwal by his side to boost his morale and game.
-Chandrani Datta
Twitter.com/cdplaying
