Ghei tied 9th, Chowrasia tied 19th in Bangkok Open

Samui, Thailand, June 8 (UNI) Gaurav Ghei was grounded after a high-flying front nine and yet his one-under 71 for the tied ninth place turned out to be the best opening round by an Indian in the Bangkok Airways Open here today.

Slotting a quartet of birdies in his front nine, seasoned Ghei approached the 14th hole at four-under but dropped three shots in the last five holes to finish with a round of 71.

Meanwhile, SSP Chowrasia lost plot and three shots on the par-five 17th and despite going two-under till the 16th, the Kolkata pro eventually went one-over 72 for a share of the 19th spot.

Arjun Singh carded two-over 73 to be tied 31st, while the trio of Amandeep Johl, Amritinder Singh and Gurbaaz Mann huddle in the 63rd spot after going four-over 75.

Among other Indians in the fray, Uttam Singh Mundy returned 76, followed by Jaiveer Virk (77), Harmeet Kahlon (79) and the duo of Digvijay Singh and Harinder Gupta, who carded nightmarish 10-over 81.

Malaysia's Iain Steel birdied his final four holes to snatch the first round lead in the Bangkok Airways Open with a five-under-par 66 at the challenging par-71 Santiburi Samui Country Club.

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