Anirban Lahiri shot a composed five-under 65 to lie T22 after Round 1 of the Hong Kong Open, while Tom McKibbin stole the spotlight with a record-breaking bogey-free 60. Thai star Jazz Janewattananond followed closely with a 61 as Lahiri stayed confident about his game heading into Round 2. (Image Credit: X/International Series)
Star Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri made a composed five-under 65 to lie tied 22nd after the first round of the Hong Kong Open. There was a flurry of low scores during the first round of the International Series event as players made most of the calm morning conditions at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
It was a rollercoaster but confident start for Lahiri as he mixed an eagle, five birdies, and a lone bogey in his first round. The approach play looked sharp for the Indian star, though a few missed putts cost him a better finish.
“I played really well tee to green for all 18 holes. The front nine was frustrating, I hit a lot of good shots close to the pin but just couldn’t get a putt to drop,” reflected Lahiri. “But I am proud of how I gathered myself and stayed composed.”
Lahiri wasn't the only Indian in form as Ajeetesh Sandhu and SSP Chawrasia shot impressive four-under 66s each to get themselves comfortable inside the top bracket ahead of the second round. With three Indians inside top 30, the country's golfers are slowly but surely building momentum on the international circuit
The day, however, belonged to Tom McKibbin, who blazed through the course with a bogey-free 10-under 60 to set a new course record. The flawless round by the Northern Irishman left the field chasing.
A further stroke behind came Jazz Janewattananond with his 61, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Louis Oosthuizen, and Thomas Pieters a shot further back at eight under. The promising local amateur Jeffrey Shen also had a seven-under 63, showing how bright the future of Asian golf could be.
