Report by Anand Datla
May 14, 2015: Viraj Madappa impressed yet again with a solid performance on the first day of the 12th SAARC Golf Championship at the KGA course in Bengaluru. The young Indian made a steady even par 72 to clinch first day honours at this regional event. Jaibir Singh was 5-under with just three holes to play, but he returned to the clubhouse a disappointed man after surrendering five strokes on the final bend.
Viraj shot two under 34 through the first nine holes, but a 38 on the return stretch dropped him back to even par for the round. Captain Jaibir Singh looked set to blitz the field after needing just 32 shots on the first nine holes.
But he shot a double bogey at the 16th before ending the day with a bitterly disappointing triple at the final hole to fall behind his team mate.
Akbar Hussain of Bangladesh finished in third position, after he signed his card at two over 74. The placement on the first day is used to seed the players for Friday and Saturday.
At the end of an engrossing day’s play, Indians retained the top berth while Bangladesh took the second spot. Bhutan is lying third, with Afghanistan bringing up the rear.
Friday will see the Indian team showcase their talent against the Bhutanese over a 36 hole match play competition. Bangladesh on the other hand takes on Afghanistan.
The first day also saw an interesting aside – in a competition for the team managers, Lokman, the captain of the Bangladesh team won the honours.
The regional championship has been won for the past seven times by a dominant Indian team. And if the performances of the first day are any evidence, it is clear that the hosts are in no mood to relinquish their stranglehold on the title, just yet.
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