Golfer Bhullar starts strong at Indonesia Open

In-form Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar launched his title defence by registering five-under-par through 17 holes, highlighted by a hole-in-one on the 12th, before darkness stopped play in the opening round of the Indonesia Open on Thursday.

He matched the day's efforts of playing partner Stephen Leaney of Australia, American Jason Knutzon and local hope Danny Masrin, who are both at five-under through 16 holes at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

A host of eight players, including Ye Htet Aung of Myanmar, Singapore's Quincy Quek, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand and Rory Hie of Indonesia, shared the clubhouse lead after signing for matching four-under 68s at the $300,000 Asian Tour event.

Coming off the back of a win, Bhullar fired three birdies in his opening six holes before stumbling with a double-bogey on the seventh hole.

The 29-year-old Indian, however, caught fire, capping a birdie-birdie-hole in one-birdie run from the 10th hole before dropping a shot on 16.

Play was suspended at 2.25 p.m. local time due to inclement weather before resuming an hour and 20 minutes later. It was later abandoned for the day at 5.42 p.m. due to fading light.

A total of 28 players will resume their rounds at 6.10 a.m. on Friday, with the second round to commence at 6.15 a.m. as per schedule.

--IANS

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