Amateur Rayhan top Indian at T-17th in Saudi international

Dubai-based golfer Rayhan Thomas, who is looking to crack the Top-10 in World Amateur Rankings, was the best Indian on display on the first day of the inaugural Saudi International here Thursday.

The 19-year-old Thomas was placed Tied-17th after bringing in a card of three-under 67 with four birdies, three of them in the first five holes, against one bogey.

He was four shots behind leader Belgian Thomas Pieters (63) at the Par-70 Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 68 and was Tied-31st, while Shubhankar Sharma struggled in the strong afternoon winds to shoot a birdie-less 77, which means he needs to go really low to make the cut that is likely to be at even par.

Rayhan, who won a silver medal for India at the Asia-Pacific Amateurs, said, "I played solid and hit a lot of good drives and iron shots. The putting also gave me confidence. Overall it was a good day and I need to build on it."
He will tee off in the first group on Friday. "The wind should be down and morning scores are likely to be better."
He said, "A couple of lip outs and a couple of small misses including one from inside three feet on the fourth did not help."