Srinivas enjoys opening round lead

Local favourite Harendra Gupta and the Delhi duo of Shamim Khan and Naman Dawar were in joint second at four-under 68.

Srinivas had an exceptional opening round thanks to his brilliant short-game. His first birdie of the day came on the second hole where he chipped it to within a few inches. This was followed by a 15-feet birdie putt on the third.

The bogey on the fourth did not prove too costly for Srinivas as he came back strongly with a brilliant eight-iron shot to set up a birdie on the eighth.

The short and stocky Srinivas, who is yet to win his maiden professional title, collected three birdies in a row from the 11th through the 13th to take his score to five under. He chipped-in from the bunker on the 11th and then missed an eagle by a whisker with his nine-iron approach shot on the 12th. The Bangalorean garnered his final birdie of the day on the 13th by sinking a 15-feet putt.

"With the wind being up, club-selection was not easy. I am delighted to have shot my best score of the season so far despite the tough conditions. The highlight of my round was my excellent chipping and putting. I also hit it quite close with my short-irons," said Srinivas.

Harendra did not have the best of starts as he bogeyed the opening hole after a poor tee-shot. Harendra, however, picked up three birdies in quick succession on the second, third and fifth to move to two under. He converted a 25-footer on the third. (More)