Arjun Singh sets new course record

Arjun Singh set a new course record with his superbly compiled round of seven-under 65 handing him the opening day’s lead at the Rs. One million Hero Golf 2001 Chandigarh Open, at the 7,052-yard Chandigarh Golf Club course on Wednesday.

Arjun’s effort erased Calcutta's Basad Ali’s name from the record books. Basad held the earlier record with a six-under 66.

The tournament is the seventh leg of the 2001-2002 season's Hero Honda Golf Tour.

Local lad K S Sibia was placed second two-strokes behind the leader.

Delhi's Pappan was placed third at three-under 69, while D S Raghuvanshi (Pune), Harmeet Kahlon (Chandigarh) and Vinod Kumar (Delhi) were joined by local amateur golfer Girish Virk at tied fourth spot at two-under 70. The trio of Feroz Ali (Calcutta), Rajiv Kumar (Chandigarh) and Shiv Prakash (Kanpur) were tied seventh at one-under 71.

Arjun Singh was in superb form on Wednesday. The 31-year old golfer, who returned to the tour in March 2001 after a one-year layoff due to a chronic back-injury, literally scorched the course with as many as seven birdies. Arjun birdied the fourth and sixth on his outward journey before returning to blast for successive birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th and another on the 16th on his back-nine.

"Everything clicked for me today," said the golfer whose only other appearance on the Hero Honda Golf Tour this season came at the Hero Honda South in Bangalore in August.

Arjun withdrew from the event in question after the opening round due to an injured wrist. The wrist injury was a nagging one, "I didn’t want to take a chance especially with four straight APGA events coming up. Luckily I recovered,” he said.

The Injury was the last thing on his mind today. "The course was playing real well and I on my part was aided by the fact that I missed only one regulation, that too on the 18th," said Arjun, who tallied 27 putts for his round.

"Breaking the course record was a bonus," he added.

Arjun’s previous victory on the tour came at the Indian Masters at the Army Golf Course in April this year.

Wilson sponsored K S Sibia, better known as “Veeru” among his fellow-professionals was the surprise package for the day. Playing on his home course, Sibia was a picture of confidence right from the moment he took his place on the first tee. "I was unusually calm throughout. It was almost like I was playing a regular round on the course. There was no pressure," said the 22 year old, whose earlier best score on the Indian Pro Tour was a level par-72 in the SRF Open ’99 at the Delhi Golf Club.

"This is undoubtedly a thrilling moment, but, more importantly, it has given me a fine platform to go for a win. That (The Win) if it comes about, will be a dream come true," said the elated golfer.

On Wednesday, Sibia returned a picture perfect card with as many as five birdies studding it. His birdie holes were the second, eight, ninth, 13th and 18th.

"I think the key to success is putting here,” he said after returning just 22 putts for the day.

"The golf course is playing superb. As for me , my chipping and driving are in excellent shape," he added.

Pappan put together yet another impressive performance today. The Delhi golf club pro has made a place for himself in the limelight in the past only to fumble when it matters most. This time around, however, he looked determined to make amends.

"This year, at the season starting Hindu Open, I had an excellent chance but mental errors cost me the title," he said. “This time I have things on a platter and I am not about to mess it up. The golf course is playing superb but a great deal of planning is required to break par here. Today’s round has given me the confidence and my driving and putting being better than ever before,” said the golfer who has the reputation among his fellow professionals of possessing a hot putter.

Pappan’s opening round card was error free. Playing his front nine to par, he went on to birdie the 11th, 13th and 18th on his return journey.

"After playing the Sher-e-Kashmir Open, it was a bit tough adjusting to these greens which are a lot slower. But if the greens play true as they do here, you soon get used to the place,” he said after returning 29 putts for his round.

Results: (72 Holes): 65_Arjun Singh; 67_KS Sibia; 69_Pappan; 70_DS Raghuvanshi, Harmeet Kahlon, Vinod Kumar, 71_ Feroz Ali, Rajiv Kumar, Shiv Prakash, 72_Amandeep Johl, Digvijay Singh, Dinesh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Rahil Gangjee, Rejwan Ali, Rohtas Singh, Roop Singh.

Amateurs: 70_Grish Virk: 72_HS Kang;73_Gurbaaz Mann