Hot form: India’s Anirban Lahiri
With his country celebrating Diwali yesterday, India’s Anirban Lahiri had his own fireworks going during the opening round of the Venetian Macau Open with a sparkling career-best 10-under-par 61.
The round gave the 27-year-old four-time Asian Tour winner a one-shot lead over defending champion Scott Hend of Australia, who won the Hong Kong Open last week.
“It’s a great Diwali and happy Diwali to everyone back home. It’s nice to have some fireworks on the course,” said Lahiri.
“It’s fantastic. I really played solid all day and it was nice to get such fantastic weather and putt well.
“I think I did really well inside of 15 feet... this is the best I’ve putted for a while. My good friend S. Chikka who is playing this week pointed something out and he knows my game really well.
“Sometimes my putting stroke doesn’t flow as well as it needs to and he spotted a little thing that really helped me. I felt really comfortable on the greens. I’m really happy.”
Lahiri, who needed only 22 putts for his round, holed eight birdies and then capped it off by rolling in a 15-foot eagle putt on the last hole in benign conditions at the Macau course.
Australian Hend continued his red-hot form by sinking five birdies and one eagle on the back nine in his round of 62.
Multiple major winner Ernie Els of South Africa and Asian Tour veteran Thongchai Jaidee both scored 70s while Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez struggled on the greens for a one-over round of 72.
Cheonan: South Korea’s Jeon Yun-Cheol topped the leader board as first round play in the Kolon Korea Open was suspended yesterday due to bad light.
A late start caused by a fogged-in course at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan meant a number of players were unable to get around their 18 holes before the evening darkness set in.
Jeon, who managed to complete a full round, carded a four-under 67 to lead one stroke ahead of compatriot Choi Ho-Sung who only shot 12 holes.
American Kevin Na, the highest ranked player in the field, was mid-way down the board at three-over having completed 15 holes.
