By IANS
Seoul : Amandeep Johl showed he was fully fit and ready for bigger challenges as he started with a fine two-under 69 under tough conditions at the million dollar Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open. That gave him a share of the seventh place at the end of the first round at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club on Thursday.
The Chandigarh golfer, who has not played since June because of a wrist injury suffered in a freak accident at home, said he was thrilled with his solid round.
His compatriot Rahil Gangjee, third at the same event last year, shot a one-under 70 and was tied in 11th place while S.S.P. Chowrasia was 85th with a round of four-over 75.
Defending champion Yang Yong-eun took the opening round lead after a six-under-par 65 with Fiji’s Vijay Singh a stroke behind him.
Johl, who injured his right wrist and is playing in his first Asian Tour event in the second half of the season, said, “My wrist was in a cast for five weeks since the end of June and then I underwent seven weeks of rehab. It feels good to be playing competitive golf again after so long. My doctor told me to take two to three more weeks off but I couldn’t stay at home doing nothing any more.
“I had a great tip from Vijay during the practice round on Tuesday and it really helped me produce a solid round today,” said Johl. “I wanted to have a good outing before the Indian Open and hopefully I will get it here.”
Yang, with two wins on the Asian Tour last season, blasted seven birdies against a lone bogey under tough playing conditions. With a bogey free 66, Singh was a stroke behind Yang while local young gun Kim Kyung-tae was in a tie for third position after a 67 alongside Kang Kyung-nam, David Oh and Kim Hyung-sung.
Johl, Lee Sung of Korea, Kim Wi-joong and Kim Sang-ki were in joint seventh spot after carding similar 69s. China’s Liang Wen-chong, who is the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader, together with Filipino Gerald Rosales, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Gangjee and Australian trio of Marcus Both, Adam Groom and Kane Webber were among those in tied 11th position five strokes adrift after firing matching 70s.
Yang, who defeated a starry field that included Tiger Woods to win the HSBC Champions last year, was pleased to be back on home soil since his last visit a year back when he lifted the title on similar ground. Yang was two under after nine holes but four birdies on the way home gave him a narrow one-stroke lead over the tight field.
“The last time I was back here for competitive golf was when I won this event last year so I’m glad to be back home,” said the 35-year-old Yang.
“I wasn’t thinking about the lead but was focussed at getting back on track with my game. After the HSBC Champions, I had a challenging time playing in Europe and United States trying to adjust to the conditions there so coming back here has definitely boosted my confidence.
“Vijay is just a stroke back and there are many good players out there so I hope to continue my solid putting heading into the second round tomorrow,” he added.
Singh, who is 12th on the world ranking, enjoyed a steady round with five birdies as he hopes to stay on target and challenge Yang for the top spot heading into the second round. Starting on the back nine, Singh shot four birdies before closing in with a final birdie on the eighth hole.
“I was playing with Yang and Kim and they both kept the ball in play and made a lot of putts. I played well and was steady out there but I hope to hit it closer to the pins tomorrow. There are a lot more players picking up the game and a lot more talent, and the depth of the game has improved here. I am pleased to return to Korea after 10 years and I hope to continue my good result in Asia,” said Singh, with 31 wins on the US PGA Tour.