Report by Anand Datla
Domaine de Bel Ombre, Mauritius, May 7, 2015: Rahil Gangjee has roots in Mauritius and the Indian is eager to do well this week at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The diminutive golfer produced some brilliant golf under testing conditions to ensure that neither gusting winds nor spitting rain could uproot his hopes of a good week in the land of his mother. Gangjee is two back at 67, with three men leading at six under at the end of the first round.
With conditions turning adverse in the afternoon, it was the early starters who enjoyed a good run. Thorbjorn Olesen, Jeunghun Wang and Carlos Pigem holding a one shot advantage over Oliver Bekker and Terry Pilkadaris after an engaging day’s action at the spectacularly beautiful Heritage Golf Club on the South Western tip of Mauritius.
Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark established a new course record of six-under-par 65 on his return from injury to grab the early first round lead at the inaugural AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on Thursday.
The talented Dane, who has been out for three months following a hand surgery, mixed eight birdies with two bogeys at the magnificent Heritage Golf Club to lead South Africa’s Oliver Bekker and Australian Terry Pilkadaris by a shot.
Speaking exclusively with Golfing Indian, Rahil spoke of his joy at being able to complete a solid round under demanding weather conditions. “I am pretty happy with how things played out today,” he said. “The conditions in the afternoon were difficult, but I kept it together staying focused through the storm. I look forward to carry on and play some good golf this week.”
Starting on the back nine, Olesen got out of the blocks quickly with four birdies in his first five holes – the first from 40 feet – and picked up further gains at the 16th and 18th holes – either side of a dropped shot on the 17th hole – for an outward 31. Another bogey followed on the first, but Olesen birdied the fifth and completed his scoring with a 10-footer on the seventh hole.
“We had perfect conditions on the front nine and I played well on the front nine, then it started getting tricky on the back nine,” said the 25-year-old, who holds two European Tour victories.
“All in all my short game was very good and that’s why I’m six under. It’s a good golf course, you can see almost everything from the tee out there and it’s in perfect condition.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this – three months to play a competition round, so I was excited to get out there this morning. We had great conditions and I hit a lot of great putts, so it was fun.”
Shiv Kapur made an even par 71, leaving him in T46 as the second best Indian on the day. Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 72 to end day one at T63 on one over.
Rashid Khan and Arjun Atwal will need a good round on Friday to save themselves from the cut. Both men are at two over through 18 holes after signing off with 73 in the first round.
