2008 Johnnie Walker Classic - Round 1: Shamim Khan leads as local players shine

Unheralded Shamim Khan of India upstaged some of the biggest names in golf to grab a share of the first round lead at the Johnnie Walker Classic on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Khan fired a sparkling five-under-par 67 at DLF Golf and Country Club and set up the possibility of becoming the second Indian winner of a major tournament on home soil in the past month.

The slightly-built Indian was joined atop the leaderboard by Argentinean Daniel Vancsik, who carded six birdies against a lone bogey in the US$2.5 million event, one of Asia Pacific’s premier golf tournaments.

Khan’s stunning performance marked a memorable first day for the Indian contingent as Jeev Milkha Singh, the Asian Tour’s number one in 2006, ended the day in a share of third place alongside compatriot Rahil Gangjee and nine other players following a 68 while US-based Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Singh were a further stroke back.

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Liang Wen-chong of China also enjoyed a solid start when he overcame a double bogey for a 69.

The marquee names at the Johnnie Walker Classic endured mixed days. World number five Adam Scott of Australia battled into the mix with a 68 and could have led on his own if not for a double bogey on his 16th hole when he sprayed his tee shot into the water.

Three-time Major champion Vijay Singh of Fiji carded a 70 but Europe’s Ryder Cup stars Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and England’s Ian Poulter struggled with a 74 and 76 respectively.

The day however belonged to Khan. “I’m really happy that in such a star-studded field, I’m at the top of the leaderboard. I can’t explain it in words,” said a beaming Khan.

Three weeks ago, S.S.P. Chowrasia secured a life-changing victory at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters which served as an inspiration for the likes of Khan. Like Chowrasia, Khan is also a former caddie and plies his trade on the domestic circuit where he has won once.

He took only 24 putts on the tricky DLF greens, holing from long range on the 11th and 16th holes and enjoyed a chip-in birdie as well on the seventh. If he continues to wield his putter like a magic wand, Khan’s world could well change this week. “My putting was very good. I took only 24 putts and I drove it good as well,” said Khan.

“SSP is an old friend of mine. I have been inspired by his recent victory. It has set the tone for us to do well in the international events that come to India. I’m concentrating on my game and will take it one step at a time.”

Vancsik, part of an exciting quartet of Argentine players who triumphed on the European Tour last season, continued to show his growing prowess as he shot up the leaderboard with some wonderful play.

“I have been working hard since the end of the season. I have worked with my coach and psychology for this year and I feel very well. Every player in Argentina feels more confident after what happened last year,” said Vancsik.

The tournament’s favourite, Scott, was left ruing a poor tee shot on the 16th which prevented him from taking a firm grip of the Johnnie Walker Classic. However, he managed to draw on the positives from his day in the office.

“One poor shot but I don’t think that it really spoilt the round. I was very pleased with everything,” said Scott, who was cruising at five under through 15 holes before his late mishap. “I got off to a good start, kept myself right in the tournament. I need to go out tomorrow morning and try and put a number on the board and get the guys to start chasing it.”

Jeev soared to the top of the leaderboard momentarily but late bogeys prevented him from taking the sole lead. He missed a short par putt on the 16th and found the hazard on 17th hole. “It’s a good test of golf,” said Singh of the Arnold Palmer-designed course. “I played solid for 15 holes but caught a couple of bad breaks.”

World number 11 Vijay failed to come to grips with the tricky DLF greens as he shot three birdies against two bogeys. “It was very disappointing. I hit the ball really good but didn’t putt particularly well and threw away a few shots. I must have hit five or six loose shots out there. Two under is under par but it’s very disappointing,” said Singh.

“The greens are very hard to putt on. They are very grainy and to read the grains is half the problem. It really helps having local knowledge,” he added.

The local Indian contingent would certainly love to prove Vijay right.

Leading first round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

67 - Shamim Khan (IND), Daniel Vancsik (ARG)
68 - Rahil Gangjee (IND), Unho Park (AUS), Jason Knutzon (USA), Adam Scott (AUS), Paul Sheehan (AUS), Jeev Milkha Singh (IND), Taichiro Kiyota (JPN), Greg Chalmers (AUS), James Kamte (RSA), Robert-Jan Derksen (NED), Mark Foster (ENG)
69 - Adam Bland (AUS), Soren Hansen (DEN), Anthony Summers (AUS), Shiv Kapur (IND), Liang Wen-chong (CHN), Arjun Atwal (IND), Arjun Singh (IND), Jose Manuel Lara (ESP), Adam Blyth (AUS), Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA)
70 - Digvijay Singh (IND), Graeme Storm (ENG), Iain Steel (MAS), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), James Nitties (AUS), Gaurav Ghei (IND), Vijay Singh (FIJ), Michael Long (NZL), Martin Erlandsson (SWE), Prom Meesawat (THA), Lee Won-joon (AUS), Lin Wen-tang (TPE)

Other selected scores:

72: S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND)
74: Colin Montgomerie (Sco)

February 28, 2008