Chawrasia, Himmat and Khalin T-13 in Taiwan

Indian trio of SSP Chawrasia, Himmat Rai and Khalin Joshi carded even par 72 each to lie tied 12th after the first round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on Thursday.

They were the best among the 14 Indians in the field this week at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei's 26-year-old Hung Chien-yao broke clear of the chasing pack with an ace and a birdie in his last two holes to snatch the outright first round lead by two shots.

Hung's opening six-under-par 66 was enough to give him a two-shot cushion over his closest rivals on a rainy day where only 11 players broke par in tough conditions at USD 500,000 event.

Amid the gloomy weather conditions, Shiv Kapur was the next best with 74 at T-40, while Shubhankar Sharma and Rashid Khan carded 75 each to be T-56th. Viraj Madappa shot 76 and was 80th as was S Chikkarangappa.

Other Indians, Udayan Mane, Rahil Gangjee and Chiragh Kumar carded 78 each, while Jeev Milkha Singh, Honey Baisoya and Karandeep Kochhar shot 79 each.

Malaysia's Ben Leong also enjoyed a promising start when he returned with a 68 to take second place while four players including China's Xiao Bowen and Thailand's Panuphol Pittayarat were tied for third on 69.