Report by Anand Datla
September 11, 2014: Rahil Gangjee shot a two-under 70 in the Yeangder TPC 2014 being played at the par 72, 7125 Yards Linkou International GcC course just outside Taipei. The Indian is four shots off the pace, set by Filipino Elmer Salvador, who shot a fine 66 in the opening round of the $500,000 Asian Tour tournament. Lu-sen Lien of Taiwan, Prom Meesawat of Thailand and Aussie Marcus Both were all tied in second with a 67.
Rahil made three birdies in the first four holes to get off to a rousing start, but he was halted in his tracks by a bogey at the 200 yard fifth hole. Another bogey at the 13th dropped Gangjee to just one-under but he finished with a two at the 17th to regain a shot from the course.
Rashid Khan is in 21st after making 71 in the first round. Khan was four under through ten holes, but slipped to make three bogeys on the final stretch to lose all the breathtaking momentum he built for himself earlier in the day. Chiragh Kumar was even par for the day and 35th on the board after making four birdies and an even number bogeys in an eventful round.
There was disappointment for Jyoti Randhawa and Anirban Lahiri. Jyoti surrendered as many six shots to the course, including a double bogey at the par-4 13th hole. In the end he recovered to a 72, with the help of four birdies to salvage himself from being thrown completely off course. Lahiri failed to get his round going, managing just two birdies, punctuated by three bogeys for his score of 72.
Himmat Rai with 77 and Sujjan Singh with 78 were dealing with a rude introduction to top flight golf, languishing in the bottom of the leader board. Angelo Que enjoyed a memorable ace at the par-three fifth hole. The Filipino swung it his way with a seven iron to earn an Audemars Piguet watch worth nearly US$19,000 and around US$6,500 in cash. Que rode his luck to a fine 68 to lie within two strokes off the leader.
For more news that golfers are talking about, follow golfingindian on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube video channel
