Chikka places himself in Top-10 in Taiwan

S Chikkrangappa carded a one-under 71 to move into the tied 9th place at the end of the first round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Thursday. Chikka, who trains with Vijay Divecha, who also coaches Anirban Lahiri, started on back-nine and had one birdie. On the second nine, he had a bogey on the first and a birdie on eighth. 

Himmat Rai was tied 14th with a card of 71, while Chiragh Kumar (74) was tied 23rd and Shubhankar Sharma (75) was tied 37th. A score of under-par is generally considered decent on this tough course, where finding the greens is the key. 

Scott Barr of Australia and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat took charge of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters by shooting an opening four-under 68. Barr and Panuphol, who are chasing for a first Asian Tour win, lead by one shot from Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand at the event which is celebrating its 30th edition. 

Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who is the highest ranked player this week, returned with a 70 to share the fourth place with Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai, Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines and Lu Wei-chih.