Anirban Lahiri opens up six-shot lead in East India amateur

Kolkata, Dec 19 (UNI) Part of the Silver medal winnings Asian Games team, Anirban Lahiri grabbed the opening round lead with a scintillating round of six-under 66 at the Goodricke East India Amateur Golf Championship here today.

Tied second six strokes behind Lahiri was the trio of Saurabh Bahuguna, Tarun Ghogale and Sanjeev Mehra who each brought in cards of even-par 72.

A 95-strong field teed off at the eighth leg of Royal Challenge National Amateur Circuit.

Lahiri started off with back-to-back birdies and followed up with two more on the fourth and ninth holes on his outward journey.

On the way back, Lahiri carded a brilliant eagle on the 15th and with three successive pars thereafter returned with a card of 66.

Lahiri's teammate at Doha, Joseph Chakola, was tied-ninth with Laxman Singh at 74, while three-time Sri Lankan Amateur champion Simarjeet Singh was tied fifth at 73.

Scores (after 18 holes): 66: Anirban Lahiri 72: Saurabh Bahuguna, Tarun Ghogale, Sanjeev Mehra 73: Akshay Butta, Samaresh Sardar, Himmat Rai, Simarjeet Singh 74: Joseph Chakola, Laxman Singh 75: Moin Malak 76: Gagan Verma, Jasjeet Singh UNI XC AY ND1724