Indian Open: Shubhankar is the best Indian after first round

Shubhankar was five-under through 14 holes and looked set for a share of the lead with Stephen Gallacher, who finished half an hour earlier. But, the 22-year-old ran into back-to-back bogeys and finished with 69, which according to him was ‘still a decent start’ on this course.

“I think I played very well (on Thursday). I did not make too many mistakes. I missed a couple of key putts on my front nine. I made a silly mistake on six and seven, but apart from those holes I am pretty happy with how I finished,” said Indian lad Shubhankar.

Gallacher, who had missed the cut in his last four starts, and Julian Suri shared the first round lead with rounds of 67 each. Gallacher shot five-under 67 in the morning wave and that effort was equalled by Suri, who has Indian origins, with the same number in the afternoon.

The next best Indian player after Shubhankar was Rahil Gangjee (70) at Tied-16th, while Om Prakash Chouhan (71) was Tied-28th. Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rashid Khan shot 72 each to be Tied-46th. SSP Chawrasia and Shiv Kapur with 74 each were T-76th and Anirban Lahiri (77) was way down in 107th, needing a low second round to make the cut.

Gallacher and Suri had contrasting fortunes at the Gary Player course at the DLF Golf and Country Club last year. The Scotsman was Tied-seventh, while Suri headed home early with rounds of 76-82.