Chowrasia leads with record-equalling round; Gangjee tied 2nd

Taipei, Sep 28 (UNI) S S P Chowrasia couldn't have asked for a better opening and the 28-year-old pro the fired in eight birdies without dropping a single shot for his record-equalling eight-under 64 card to take an early lead at the 500,000-dollar Mercuries Taiwan Masters here today.

Breathing down his neck was compatriot Rahil Gangjee and the Kolkata golfer, who has finished third in his last four outings, again sizzled with a superb six-under 66 card to share the second spot alongside Aussie Adam Blyth.

However, the day belonged to Chowrasia and the Indian, in serach of his maiden Asian Tour title, began with a birdie on the 10th hole. He sank in three more birdies on the 13th, 15th and 18th before making the turn.

He gained another shot on the first hole and then capped his excellent outing with a hat-trick of birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes to equal the course record set by Taiwan's Yuan Ching-chi in 1994 at the par-72 Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Meanwhile, Gangjee resumed from where he left at the Korean Open and sank in eight birdies against two bogies to occupy the second spot.

Among other Indians in the fray, Gaurav Ghei carded one-under 71 for a tied 19th place while Amandeep Johl played an level-par card for tied 30th spot.

Shiv Kapur struggled with his putting touch and carded one-over 73 opening round to share a lowly tied 43th place with, among others, Gurbaaz Mann.

Among the also-rans, Harmeet Kahlon (two over, tied 56th) and Arjun Singh (three over, tied 70th) were in real danger of missing the cut.

UNI XC DH PM1628