Gangjee top Indian at British Open qualifier
7 March 2014 6:36 AM IST
Gangjee, who was placed tied 15th, is three behind the leader Hiroshi Iwata (68) of Japan at the end of the first round of the 36-hole qualifier.
Chiragh Kumar (73) was the second best at tied 28th, while the better-known names Anirban Lahiri, SSP Chowrasia and Himmat Rai had a disappointing outing. Lahiri pulled out after the first round of 74, while Chowrasia carded 78 and Himmat shot 79.
Gangjee started in style with back-to-back birdies but gave away a shot on fourth. A birdie on seventh followed by a bogey on eighth meant he turned in one-under. On the back nine, he bogeyed the 16th and birdied the 17th.
Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, seen as one of the challengers for the four spots available from the qualifier for the British Open, was also out of form as he carded 78.
Iwata edged closer to making his return to the world’s oldest Major after a first round four-under-par 68 saw him take his place atop the leaderboard.
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Singapore’s Koh Dengshan also remained in the hunt for a place at The Open Championship when they posted matching 69s to share second place with Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Japan’s Akinori Tani at Amata Spring Country Club.‘Everybody wants to qualify for a Major championship and I am no different. It would be good if I can become the first Bangladeshi to play in the Open Championship,’ said Siddikur.
Siddikur is aware of the pressure-cooker environment that is set to define the 36-hole contest but is confident of putting up a better showing after falling short last year.
Chiragh Kumar (73) was the second best at tied 28th, while the better-known names Anirban Lahiri, SSP Chowrasia and Himmat Rai had a disappointing outing. Lahiri pulled out after the first round of 74, while Chowrasia carded 78 and Himmat shot 79.
Gangjee started in style with back-to-back birdies but gave away a shot on fourth. A birdie on seventh followed by a bogey on eighth meant he turned in one-under. On the back nine, he bogeyed the 16th and birdied the 17th.
Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, seen as one of the challengers for the four spots available from the qualifier for the British Open, was also out of form as he carded 78.
Iwata edged closer to making his return to the world’s oldest Major after a first round four-under-par 68 saw him take his place atop the leaderboard.
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Singapore’s Koh Dengshan also remained in the hunt for a place at The Open Championship when they posted matching 69s to share second place with Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Japan’s Akinori Tani at Amata Spring Country Club.‘Everybody wants to qualify for a Major championship and I am no different. It would be good if I can become the first Bangladeshi to play in the Open Championship,’ said Siddikur.
Siddikur is aware of the pressure-cooker environment that is set to define the 36-hole contest but is confident of putting up a better showing after falling short last year.
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