Golf: Gangjee tied 21st in Manila

Manila: The Indian trio of Rahil Gangjee, Abhinav Lohan and Himmat Rai carded identical four-under 68s to be tied 21st after the opening round of the inaugural USD 750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters here today.

They were four shots behind Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand who got off to a sizzling eight-under 64.

Ajeetesh Sandhu and Digvijay Singh carded two-under 70 to be tied 50th, while SSP Chowrasia shot a one-under 71 to be 61st.

Jyoti Randhawa, Sujjan Singh and Abhijit Chadha carded even-par 72 each to be tied 78th, while Chiragh Kumar, who got in this week because of a top-5 finish last week, shot 74.

Gangjee shot four birdies and a bogey on front nine and added a fifth birdie on the back nine. Himmat also had five birdies and a bogey and it was the same for Lohan, who slotted four birdies in five holes between sixth and 10th holes.

Jazz, just 17, returned a flawless round highlighted by eight birdies for a one-shot advantage over Canada's Richard T Lee who returned with a 65 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Asia No. 1 Thaworn Wiratchant shot 69, while Daniel Chopra carded 71 among other prominent stars.

Philippines' Charles Hong led the home charge after he signed for a 66 to take the third place alongside Thailand's Thitiphun Chuayprakong, Australia's Matthew Stieger and Korean-American David Lipsky at the newest event to make its debut on the Asian Tour this season.

Following the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan last weekend, all players wore Red Cross pins as a pledge of their commitment towards relief efforts and also observed a minute's silence to show their respect for the victims.