By IANS,
Nagasaki (Japan) : India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar, dropped a last hole bogey but still returned a creditable one-under 69 at Passage Kinkai Island Golf Club in the Japan PGA Championships here Thursday.
The Indian, who has been invited for the event as the highest world ranked non-exempt player from India, is tied 17th alongside Japan’s new star, Ryo Ishikawa.
Bhullar played very steady golf with two birdies and no bogeys in the first 13 holes, before dropping his first bogey on 14th. But a birdie on 16th once again brought him to two-under, before a final hole bogey saw him end at 69.
The leader was Kenichi Kuboya, who had a flawless 65 with two birdies on front nine and three more on back nine. He finished superbly with birdies on 14th, 16th and 17th. He was one shot clear of seasoned Shingo Katayama and Daisuke Serizawa, who shot 66 each.
Ishikawa, winner of the Japan Tour Order of Merit in 2009, opened with three bogeys in a row but then had four birdies in next six holes. On the back nine he had two more bogeys and two more birdies in an eventful round.