2006 UBS Hong Kong Open - Round 1: Randhawa and Lara tied for lead

India’s Jyoti Randhawa continued his fiery form after a steady six-under-par 64 for the joint first round lead alongside Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday.

Randhawa, who is enjoying a good spell since winning in India last month, blasted seven birdies against a lone bogey while Lara enjoyed a blemish free round at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Chinese top golfer Liang Wen-chong, who fired an eagle at the third hole, was in joint third spot after a 65 together with England’s Graeme Storm and Gregory Bourdy of France. Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh, the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader, was among the frontrunners in tied sixth spot after a 66 alongside Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden, Korea’s Suk Jong-yul, Englishman Simon Khan and Australian Adam Blyth.

Inspired by his good run of form in recent weeks, Randhawa struck back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. The 34-year-old conquered the backnine firing five birdies on the 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th and at the final 18th hole where he almost made eagle.

“I think the confidence from last week is spilling over to this week,” said Randhawa, who dropped his only shot at the fifth hole.

“When I missed my birdie chances on the 16th (six foot putt) and 17th holes (10 foot putt), I got myself together thinking that I was getting ahead of myself. I learned from those shots where I then almost holed it in my second shot using a nine iron. Commitment to my shot and executing it with conviction is what made that birdie in the last hole.

“I’ve learnt to handle the mental side of the game. It requires more than swinging the golf club and I’ve focused too much into the technique. If you stay focused with the right mindset is the better way of doing it,” he added.

Starting on the 10th tee, Lara got off to a solid start with two consecutive birdies on the 11th and 12th holes striking a third birdie on the 17th. He enjoyed a steady run home with three more birdies on the first, third and eighth holes for the top spot.

“I putted so well. The greens are tough to read and I read them well today. Six under on this course, a par 70, is tough, so it is a good round,” said Lara, who used to play junior golf with compatriot Sergio Garcia.

“It is similar to Majorca, different weather but the course is a 70 as well and only two par fives. You have to negotiate the course well. It is not very easy,” he added.

Liang enjoyed his time out on course after an eagle at the par five third hole, four birdies against a lone bogey.

“The eagle was great. After my drive, I had 230 yards to the pin. I then picked up a five wood, struck it and the ball landed on the green a feet away for a simple tap in for an eagle.

Enjoying a bogey free round, Swedish talent Jarmo Sandelin is on target as aims to end his four year drought in Asia this week.

“I always have a target to win every tournament. I have not won a tournament here since I won the BMW Asian Open in 2002 and that’s four years ago. So, I’ll always have a winning attitude when I play. This is a good start and if I keep on going like this I will have a chance,” said Sandelin.

After a cautious approach in the opening round, Singh, who sustained a wrist injury in Japan in September, ended his round in the leading fray when he fired six birdies against two bogeys.

“I started off really well and was four under after the first six holes and was pretty excited but just that coming in, I hit the ball well and did not hole too many putts,” said Singh.

Jong-yul, who won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in April, will be hoping to pull off another surprise at Fanling in search of his second Asian Tour title.

“My shots off the tee were right on target and my iron shots were solid so overall I had an enjoyable time out on course. I love the style and conditions of this course. The trees here are tall and the conditions here are similar to the courses back home in Korea so I am quite comfortable,” he said.

Leading first round scores

64 - Jose Manuel Lara (ESP), Jyoti Randhawa (IND)
65 - Gregory Bourdy (FRA), Graeme Storm (ENG)
Liang Wen-chong (CHN)
66 - Jeev Milkha Singh (IND), Jarmo Sandelin (SWE), Suk Jong-yul(KOR), Simon Khan (ENG), Adam Blyth (AUS)
67 - Park Jun-won (KOR), David Bransdon (AUS), Johan Axgren (SWE), Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Lee Sung (KOR), Andrew Buckle (AUS),
Simon Yates (SCO), James Stewart (HKG)
68 - Martin Kaymer (GER), Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP), Jean Van De Velde (FRA),
Michael Campbell (NZL), Bryan Saltus (USA), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Scott Strange (AUS), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Christian Cevaer (FRA), Damien Mcgrane (IRL), Rick Gibson (CAN), Thammanoon Srirot (THA)
Chinarat Phadungsil (THA), Phillip Price (WAL), Gary Rusnak (USA), Cesar Monasterio (ARG), Robert-Jan Derksen (NLD), Clay Devers (USA), Ron Won (USA)
Martin Rominger (SUI)

November 16, 2006

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