Indian quartet make strong start, Peterson leads

Himmat Rai, Khalin Joshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Gaganjeet Bhullar got off to a good start in the Sarawak Championship. Paul Peterson flew into the lead on a 63

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Himmat Rai shot 68 in the Sarawak Championship

04 July 2018: They began at the opposing ends of the Damai Golf and Country Club, but arrived at the same destination. Himmat Rai and Ajeetesh Sandhu got their first round off the tenth tee while Gaganjeet Bhullar and Khalin Joshi fired off the first tee. When they all met again in the clubhouse, each had a card reading four under 68 in the Sarawak Championship. American Paul Peterson got the better of Mark Brown, making a fine 63 in response to a 65 by the Kiwi.

Viraj Madappa and Chiragh Kumar got through the course with an even 72 against their names, but with low scoring all around, will have plenty left to do on Thursday to escape the blade. Honey Baisoya is in the same boat too after making a first round 71. Rashid Khan and Aman Raj also made 71 each.

Himmat Rai got off to a flyer, notching up birdies on four of his first six holes, starting at the 10th. He would go on to make two more birdies on the return stretch, but conceded bogeys at the 17th and 4th to end the day with a 68.

“I played really well. Overall I felt like I left a couple of shots out there. My game plan is to go with what I decided in the practice round,” Rai told the Asian Tour. “You can score on this golf course but your ball needs to be in the right place to take full advantage. I’ve done that well today.

“Last week was a good confidence booster and I played well at Qualifying School. I’m trying to put a few good rounds together and hopefully I can have a good end to the year.”

Himmat hit less than half the fairways, but played some stellar approach strokes to more than make up for his woes off the tee. He made over 83% greens in regulation to set himself for a good opening in Malaysia.

“To be honest, it has been quite a ride in the last few years. I was working with my coach on my swing. Yes, I needed changes because at the start of my career, when it was good, it was really good and when it was bad, it was really bad,” added Rai. “It was a process and after Vietnam (2015 Ho Tram Open) expectations were very high. I had a few personal issues but that has been resolved.

“I’m looking forward to competing again. I’m enjoying playing again. I’m 31 and the Asian Tour Schedule looks as good as ever. I’m going to take small steps towards the bigger goal.”

Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh continued to make an effort to turn the clock back. Both legends had a good day at work, producing two under 70 on Wednesday. Keeping them company is the young and promising S Chikkarangappa, who shot the same score. Also at the same spot is M Dharma, tied in 48th with 22 other golfers, including the three Indian men.

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