Kathmandu, April 14: Young Rashid Khan of India cannot forget his first trip to Nepal when he represented India in the International Amateur Championship of the Surya Nepal Masters couple of years ago. After being indisposed, Rashid put up an average show then. However, in the 18th edition of Surya Nepal Masters, the 20-year-old now playing his first season on the professional circuit, showed why he is highly rated as he shot a 7-under 65 to grab the first day’s lead in the Nepalese Rs 4 Million prize money event being held at the picturesque Gokarna Forest Resort here on Thursday.
“I loved the first time when I was here for the Surya Nepal Masters in 2008. However, I was disappointed with my show then and wanted to make amends as I really like the course,” said Rashid who was leading by a stroke from Mandeo Singh Pathania who shot a blemish-free round of 66. Sri Lankan Mithun Perera and Harendra Gupta of India were two shots further behind to be tied for third spot at 68. Nepalese professionals Shiva Ram Shreshta and Toran Bikram Shahi and former Indian Open winner Feroz Ali opened with a score of three-under par 69 to be tied for the fifth place. Former winner of Surya Nepal Masters Shamim Khan was tied for eighth spot along with Nepalese amateur Samundri Giri at 70.
Rashid who had established his supremacy as an amateur has grasped the professional ropes pretty quickly climbing to the No.5 position on the PGTI Order of Merit. A birdie on the opening hole set the tone for the day as he saved three more strokes on the 3rd, 8th and 9th to take the turn at 4-under. The pro from Delhi Golf Club showing some good golf course management, eagled the par-5 11th after teeing off with a 3-iron and using the same club for his second. This was followed by a 15-footer for an eagle. The frail-looking lad made consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th before three-putting on the 17th for the only mistake of the day.
“My hitting was extremely good today. I had learnt a lot of lessons on my previous visit and my aim to keep the ball in play. I am happy that I managed to do so,” said Rashid who missed a solitary green.
Mandeo Singh Pathania, known for his long driving, went for the green on the par-4 ninth green. However, his tee shot landed on the 10th tee from where he chipped to a feet on the double tiered green for his sixth birdie of the day. In fact it summed up his flawless opening round of 6-under 66.
Beginning from the tenth, made a solitary birdie on the par-5 12th on his onward journey, although he flirted with birdies on at least four holes. He opened with a birdie on his return journey and made a hat-trick of birdies starting from the third. Despite a strong gale, the physically fit Mandeo managed to keep the ball in play making pars before signing off with a birdie on the ninth.
“I just love this course. My ball striking was phenomenal,” said Mandeo who did not miss a single green. “It is good to begin with a low score and I hope to sustain my form,” said the 28-year-old pro from Jaypee Greens.
Top scores after 18 holes:
65 Rashid Khan (IND)
66 Mandeo Pathania (IND)
68 Mithun Perera (SL)
68 Harendra Gupta (IND)
69 Toran Shahi (NEP)
69 Shiva Ram Shreshta (NEP)
69 Feroz Ali (IND)
70 Shamim Khan
70 Samundri Giri (A) (Nep)
71 Rabi Khadka (NEP)
71 Arjun Singh Chaudhary (IND)
71 Raju Ali Mollah (IND)
71 Arshdeep Tiwana (IND)
71 Gurbaaz Mann (IND)
71 Sanjay Kumar (NEP)
71 Tashi Tsering (A) (NEP)