MACAU: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (pic) shot a sizzling eight-under 63 in the first round of the US$750,000 Venetian Macau Open yesterday to take a two-shot lead.

The 24-year-old bounced back from a bogey on the first hole with an eagle on the second, holing a 35-foot putt, and seven birdies at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Malaysia’s S. Siva Chandran stayed in contention with a four-under 67 to be four strokes behind.

Siva shares eighth spot with seven other golfers.

“When you know mentally that you’re striking the ball good, it’ll be a matter of putting and if you putt well, you will score,” said Bhullar, who finished second in the tournament three years ago.

“I canned that putt on the second. It changed the whole game plan. I made a lot of close birdies but holed a lot of long putts. Holed two from 40 feet,” he said.

“This course is one of my favourite courses in Asia. It will be lovely to have a victory under my belt on this course,” the in-form Bhullar added in comments released by the organisers.

He has recently won on the Asian Tour and also finished second and ninth.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Scott Hend of Australia led the chasing pack with 65s.

Three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee produced a bogey-free 66 for a share of fourth place with Ireland’s Niall Turner, Australian Kieran Pratt and Bangladeshi Siddikur, who had a hole-in-one on the sixth. — AFP

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