Mercuries Taiwan Masters - Round 1: Chowrasia fires 64 for first round lead

Indian rookie S.S.P Chowrasia was on unfamiliar ground at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters as he fired a superb eight-under-par 64 for the first round lead on Thursday.

The-28-year-old talent enjoyed a blemish free round, firing eight birdies at the US$500,000 event. He equalled the course record at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club set by Chinese Taipei’s Yuan Ching-chi in 1994.

Compatriot Rahil Gangjee, who is ranked 29th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, carded a 66 for joint second position alongside Adam Blyth of Australia. American Jason Knutzon took sole fourth spot after a 67 while local hero Chung Chun-hsing was in fifth place four strokes off the pace.

In search of his maiden title on the Asian Tour, Chowrasia, who started on the 10th tee, blasted birdies at the 10th, 13th, 15th and 18th holes with four more birdies on the first, fifth, sixth and seventh holes on the inward nine.

“It is my first time playing on this course and I enjoyed myself out there as the greens and fairways are in excellent shape. My putting and driving were consistent today so that helped me produce a very good round,” said Chowrasia.

“This is my best score on the Asian Tour and I am very happy that everything has been working well. The greens here are in almost similar conditions to the greens back home in India so I was quite comfortable with the course. I was aggressive today and I will continue with that strategy tomorrow.

"I have been enjoying a good spell this season and my game has been gradually improving the more I play on Tour. I have played in nine events before this and have made the cut in all of them. So I am definitely happy with my form,” he added.

Chowrasia has chalked up a string of solid results with four top-20 finishes this year. He claimed joint 12th spot at the Philippine Open in May followed by a tied eighth place finish at the Bangkok Airways Open in June. He then ended his campaign in joint 15th spot at the Crowne Plaza Open in China two months ago and later finished tied in 19th position at the star-studded Barclays Singapore Open.

“I enjoy playing on Tour. Uttam Singh Mundy is one of the many players who is always there to help me. He told me a while back that the only way to improve is to set goals for myself as the competition here is tight. I know that my game has improved since I joined the Tour and I hope it will get even better,” said the Calcutta-born lad.

The self-taught golfer picked up the game at the age of 10 and turned pro in 1997. He had won eight titles on the domestic circuit.

Gangjee, who finished third twice in his last four events on the Asian Tour, continued his steady form with eight birdies against two bogeys. Blyth also blasted eight birdies but he dropped two shots on the front nine and was tied with Gangjee.

“I took advantage of the par fives but other than that, nothing too flashy today. I had a consistent game as I was chipping and putting well throughout the round so I’m quite pleased with that,” said Gangjee, who also resides in Calcutta.

Chung remained unfazed by the Asian Tour stalwarts as he was the highest ranked local player after firing five birdies against one bogey.

“My main aim was to strike it right and ensure the ball landed on the fairway. I was not driving it long and wanted to keep to my own pace. I am glad that I was consistent throughout and will continue to play my own game tomorrow,” said Chung.

Defending champion Lu Wei-chih carded four birdies, a bogey and a double bogey as he was in joint 19th place.

Leading first round scores
64 - S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND)
66 - Adam Blyth (AUS), Rahil Gangjee (IND)
67 - Jason Knutzon (USA)
68 - Chung Chun-hsing (TPE)
69 - Chen Tsang-te (TPE), Simon Nash (AUS), Bryan Saltus (USA), Sung Mao-chang (TPE), Richard Lee (NZL), Danny Chia (MAS)
70 - Chen Yuan-chi (TPE), Ted Oh (KOR), Chang Tse-peng (TPE), Gavin Flint (AUS)
Gerald Rosales (PHI), Park Jun-won (KOR), Hung Yu-ling (TPE)
71 - Chen Liang-hsi (TPE), Keith Horne (RSA), Brad Iles (NZL), Gaurav Ghei (IND), Lu Wei-chih (TPE), Rick Gibson (CAN), Chan Yih-shin (TPE), Hsieh Yu-shu (TPE), Clay Devers (USA), Yeh Wei-tze (TPE), Hsieh Chin-sheng (TPE)

September 28, 2006

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