Rashid, Yashas lead Chittagong Open

The Indian duo of Yashas Chandra and Rashid Khan returned flawless rounds of seven-under-65 to take the joint first round lead in the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open, which got underway at the Bhatiary Golf and Country Club in Chattogram yesterday.

Yashas and Rashid enjoyed a slender one-shot lead ahead of compatriots Sanjeev Kumar and Mohammad Sanju at the 40-lakh-rupee event.

Sajib Ali was the highest-placed Bangladeshi golfer, tied in fifth position with a five-under-67.

Yashas, the 2018 PGTI Emerging Player of the Year, said, "I really enjoyed my first competitive round in Bangladesh. My low score can be attributed to my outstanding tee shots and approach shots. I was never in trouble at any stage and never looked like dropping a shot as I kept landing it close."

Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan, who also went error-free on day one, produced some quality chip-putts for four of his seven birdies. His longest conversion of the day, a 15-footer, came on the 12th. Rashid made birdies on all the four par-5 holes.

Sajib, too, came up with a bogey-free effort in round one. His 67 placed him tied fifth along with the Indian quartet of Mukesh Kumar, Honey Baisoya, Kshitij Naveed Kaul and Veer Ahlawat.

Defending champion N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka and two-time PGTI winner Jamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh were in tied 19th with rounds of two-under-70. Shakhawat Hossain Sohel, another popular golfer in the local scene, ended the opening round on a par.