By IANS,
Jakarta : Gaganjeet Bhullar has happy memories of his visit here last year when he finished runner-up. He seemed to be carrying on from where left off as he had a sensational front nine to card four-under 68 for a tied sixth place at the end of the first round of the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Bhullar shot five birdies against no bogeys on the front nine, but then one birdie and a double bogey on the 16th on the back nine saw him fall to four-under 68 in the weather-disrupted tournament.
Bhullar was four shots behind sole leader Lin Wen-tang (64) of Chinese Taipei. Lin had an eagle, seven birdies and one bogey during the round. He was three shots better than second placed quartet of Lee sung Mann, Brad Kennedy, Thaworn Wiratchant and Anthony Kang, who all carded 67.
Bhullar’s heroics apart, the Indians did not have a great day. The next best Indian was Himmat Rai (71) in 33rd and Anirban Lahiri (73) at 63rd. Harmeet Kahlon, starting on tenth, had a snowman eight on par-5 first followed by an eagle two on second during his 75 which placed him 90th alongside Gurbaaz Mann (75) while R.S.Rathore (77), Naman Dawar (79) and Amandeep Johl ended up 122nd, 136th and 143rd respectively for the day.
The in-form Taipei-based Lin recorded an eagle at the par five 13th hole coupled with seven birdies against a lone dropped shot at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.
After suffering from dehydration in Brunei last week, Lin bounced back at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course thanks to the guidance of his brother Lin Wen-hong.
Thailand’s Thaworn, with a record 10 Asian Tour titles under his belt, took advantage of the calm conditions in the morning.
Malaysia’s M. Sasidaran enjoyed a steady start with six birdies against two bogeys for a 68 and was in the mix in joint sixth place with Bhullar.
A total of 15 players will return to complete the opening round at 6:25am on Friday.