Dubai-based Rayhan best Indian at Tied-7th in Asia-Pacific golf

It was a mixed bag for the Indian squad, as Dubai-based Rayhan Thomas was the best Indian carding an eventful two-under 70 to position himself at Tied-seventh at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championships, which guarantees the winner at a start at the Masters next year. Among those tied with Thomas was Australian Curtis Luck, the US Amateur winner and runner-up at World Amateurs in Mexico.

Thomas was five behind leader Australian Cameron Davis, who last year was thwarted from winning the title by rain on final day. Davis had eight birdies in a superb seven-under 65 for a two-shot lead over Yuwa Kosaihara, who has made cuts in his last two starts in pro events on Japan Tour, and fellow Aussie Brett Coletta (67).

Thomas was the only Indian in red numbers, while Chandigarh golfer Yuvraj Sandhu gave a good account of himself with an even par 72 for Tied-16th and among those tied with him was defending champion Cheng Jin of China.

Kshitij Naveed Kaul, the youngest in Indian squad at 16, after finding his first birdie only on the 14th hole, rounded off the day with a second birdie for a 74 that placed him T-29th.

The other Indians struggled as Mangalore-born Rigel Fernandes, now at University of South Florida, dropped three shots in last three holes for a 76, while Viraj Madappa was undone by a quadruple and shot a similar 76 in T-50th.