Sanju Cards 67 to Take Early Lead at IndianOil Servo Masters Golf

Digboi (Assam), Nov 21 (PTI) Kolkata's Mohammad Sanju struck an exceptional five-under 67 to grab the first-round lead in the IndianOil Servo Masters Golf at the Digboi Golf Links here on Wednesday.

The trio consisting of Gurugram-based Pranav Kaul, Sri Lankan Mithun Perera and Chandigarh's Akshay Sharma were tied for second at four-under-68.

Sanju, currently placed 58th in the PGTI Order of Merit, posted his best score of the season that featured seven birdies and a double-bogey.

The 36-year-old, who has posted just one top-20 in his 14 starts this year, used his irons to good effect to set up birdies on the seventh, ninth and 10th.

A couple of poor shots on the 12th saw Sanju drop a double-bogey but he made a brave comeback thereafter thanks to some excellent putting.

Sanju picked up four birdies on the last six holes, all from a range of 10 to 15 feet.

Pranav Kaul's flawless 68 included an eagle and two birdies. The highlight of his round was the eagle on the 11th where he recovered from the rough with an outstanding second shot that stopped four feet from the hole.

Akshay Sharma, a winner on the PGTI this year, too fired a bogey-free 68 to take a share of second place.

Mithun Perera produced seven birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey to be in a three-way tie for second place along with Kaul and Sharma.

Perera, who kept landing it within a range of five feet, made four consecutive birdies from the 11th through the 14th.

Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow was placed fifth at three-under-69.

Defending champion Shamim Khan of Delhi carded a 70 to be tied sixth.

Deepraj Chetia posted the best score among the local golfers. His even-par-72 placed him tied 15th.

Biren Karmakar's three-over-75 was the next best score among the Digboi-based golfers and it placed him tied 50th.

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