Arjun Singh stands best among Indians in Manila

Indian golfers who have been soaring new heights with each passing day had an average start in the opening round of the $ 300,000 Philippine Open being played at the Wack Wack Golf & Country club in Manila.

According to the information reaching here PGTI member and last month’s SRF-Matchplay winner Arjun Singh was the best-placed Indian at tied 19th position after the end of first round.

Arjun shot even par 72 on Thursday trailing to current leader Japan's Kodai Ichihara (66) by six strokes. Arjun Singh had been inconsistent all thorough the first round as he made birdies on the 18th, third and fourth while he dropped bogeys on the 10th, seventh and the closing ninth.

PGTI members Himont Singh Rai and Digvijay Singh shot rounds of one over 73 to be tied 27th. Rai's opening round included an eagle on the 14th, birdies on the fourth, 12th and 16th and bogeys on the first, sixth, ninth, 11th, 13th and 15th.

However, Digvijay sank birdies on the fifth and 16th and dropped a bogey on the seventh and a double bogey on the 18th. Gurbaaz Mann fired two over 74 for tied 49th place.

Among the other PGTI members in the field, Harmeet Kahlon returned a 77 to be at tied 96th while last week’s Punjab Open runners-up Gaganjeet Bhullar carded 78 to be placed at 112th position.