PETALING JAYA: India’s Anirban Lahiri flew to the top of the leaderboard with a late birdie spree in the first round of the RM1.3mil Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters.
Anirban, last year’s runner-up, chalked up 10 birdies – including four in the last five holes – en route to carding an impressive seven-under 64 for a two-shot lead over compatriot S.S.P. Chowrasia and Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin at the Seri Selangor Golf Club, near Kota Damansara, on Thursday.
Taiwan’s Hung Chien-yao was alone in fourth spot a stroke behind while Shaaban Hussin, Malaysia’s best finisher yesterday, joined Australians Cameron Smith and Adam Groom, Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai and Chapchai Nira and South African Mathiam Keyser in fifth spot after posting identical three-under 68s.
The 29-year-old Anirban’s solid opening round display, despite three bogeys blemishing his card, only underlines his intention to capture his second title of the season – and fifth victory on the Asian Tour, having won the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in April.
“I’m really happy with how I played,” said the in-form Anirban, who finished joint fourth in Taiwan last weekend.
“I got off to a good start and made a couple of good putts. It could have been better. I missed some short putts but I hit it really good.
“I have a lot of positive energy coming into this week, having finished second here last year. It tells you that you can do it.
“I’ve figured out how to play on this course... it helps when you’ve played here a few times.”
Current Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States carded a 72 to be tied on 54th while Thai defending champion Pariya Junhasavasdikul also had a day to forget as he finished the day joint 69th with a 73.
Local hope Shaaban, who played alongside Anirban and Lipsky, made the most of his home course knowledge, firing successive eagles on the fifth and sixth holes.
“Making those two eagles were unbelievable... but then I had to go and double bogey the next hole!” said Shaaban.
“I pulled my tee shot and made a double! I was trying to go for a third straight eagle.”
Former Selangor Masters champion Ben Leong fought to a 72 while national No. 1 Nicholas Fung carded a 73.
Danny Chia returned with a 74 and faces a tough task to make the weekend cut.
Results
Leading first round scores
64: Anirban Lahiri (Ind);
66: S.S.P. Chowrasia (Ind), Chan Yih-shin (Tpe);
67: Hung Chien-yao (Tpe);
68: Cameron Smith (Aus), Adam Groom (Aus), Mathiam Keyser (Rsa), Sattaya Supupramai (Tha), Shaaban Hussin (Mas), Chapchai Nirat (Tha);
69: Chan Kim (US), Zaw Moe (Myr), Park Byung-joo (Kor), Jay Bayron (Phi), Thammanoon Sriroj (Tha), Sam Cyr (US), Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha), Kieran Pratt (Aus), Paul Patterson (US), Rattanon Wannasrichan (Tha);
70: Sukree Othman (Mas), Anthony Kang (US), Jazz Janewattananond (Tha), Christ Gaunt (Aus), Mohd Iylia Jamil (Mas), Jack Munro (Aus), Wang Jeung-hun (Kor), Simon Griffiths (Eng), Scott Barr (Aus), George Gandranata (Ina), Lionel Weber (Fra), Thawon Wiratchant (Tha), Marcus Both (Aus), Antonio Lascuna (Phi), Chiragh Kumar (Ind), Mars Pucay (Phi).
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