Magnificent Mukesh takes lead at four under 68

Mukesh Kumar went one-up over arch rival Feroz Ali with an opening round score of four-under 68 at the Tk 15 lakh (Rs 1.2 million) Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Open 2002, being played at the par-72 Kurmitola Golf Club.

The tournament is the 19th leg of the 2001-02 season's Hero Honda Golf Tour.

Feroz Ali was not far behind tied for the second spot with Meerut's Digvijay Singh, Delhi's Jaiveer Virk and Chandigarh's Ranjit Singh at three-under 69.

Local hero Babu Ahmed was the star performer of the day among the Bangladeshi contingent. The 32-year old Kurmitola Golf Club pro returned a two-under 70 to tie sixth with Kolkata's Chini Ali, Mhow's Devendra Patel and Lucknow's Sanjay Kumar.

"It has been a great start to the week," said Mukesh, who has been off colour by his own high standards of late. "In the year 2002, I have failed to return a single win in four events," said the 34-year old. "I have only one aim in mind and that is to take the winning cheque home this week."

Mukesh, winner of the 'Mahindra Champion Golfer of the Year' award for the past two seasons is well on his way to winning his third straight award.

This season the Mhow golfer has returned a staggering 16 top-ten finishes in 18 events, 15 of which have been top-five efforts. He has wins to his credit at the TNGF Open, Chennai, Sher-e-Kashmir Open, Srinagar, Servo Masters Golf Championship, Digboi and the Royal Challenge Grand Prix, Mumbai in addition to three runner-up finishes.

Today, Mukesh, a first tee starter, erred early in his round when he three-putted from 10 feet on the 3rd, to drop a shot. Thereafter, however, he was a different player, essaying birdies on the 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th and 18th.

"The greens are quite quick here and I was struggling early on. Once I got the hang of them, it was smooth sailing. This is a magnificent golf course and I feel youngsters in Bangladesh are lucky to have such a facility at their disposal. It is up to them now to make the best of it," said the top ranked player on the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour.

The Mukesh Kumar - Feroz Ali battle has become a common feature this season. Today, the two stalwarts carried the battle into foreign territory. Mukesh Kumar might have played like a champion, but heart of hearts he knows that with Feroz just a stroke behind he can do anything but rest on his laurels.

Feroz, another first tee starter, began in style with a birdie. After nine holes, he was four-under having carded three more birdies on the 5th, 6th and 8th. Thereafter despite birdying the 14th and 15th, he was undone by a double bogey on the 12th and a bogey on the 16th.

"I would not read too much into the double. It was just the outcome of a stray approach shot. My swing is fine and I aim to overtake Mukesh tomorrow. It is essential not to give him the early advantage," said the '98 Indian Open winner.

Digvijay Singh, who finished third at last week's Telegraph Open in Kolkata, is very much in form. The Meerut-based golfer, is the brother-in-law of India's star golfer Jyoti Randhawa. Vital tips procured from Jyoti over the years might well stand him in good stead the coming week.

Today, Digvijay dropped the only shot of his round on the 15th while his card included four birdies.

Jaiveer Virk is definitely the most improved golfer this season. This diminutive golfer has an explosive temperament, which served him well today. Jaiveer has the capability to give the best in the business, a run for their money as does Ranjit Singh of Chandigarh. Ranjit who missed his first cut in 34 events on the Tour at last week's Telegraph Open, is keen as ever to make up this week. While Jaiveer returned five birdies but erred twice today, Ranjit had a bogey free round with three birdies highlighting his card.

Siddikur leads amateur field: Local golfer Mohd. Siddikur played superbly to leap to a four-stroke lead in the amateur category. Siddikur, who carded a level-par 72, was followed art second place by Mohd. Milon at four-over 76.

SCORE (after 18 holes): 68_Mukesh Kumar; 69_Feroz Ali, Digvijay Singh, Ranjit Singh, Jaiveer Virk; 70_Babu Ahmed, Chini Ali, Devendra Patel, Sanjay Kumar; 71_Ali Sher, Indrajit Bhalotia, Rafiq Ali, Shamim Khan, Yusuf Ali

Amateurs: 72_Mohd. Siddikur; 76_Mohd.Milon.