Denpasar (Indonesia), June 25 (IANS) India’s Khalin Joshi fired a five-under-par 67 to hold on to the second position behind Gyeongjun Lee of South Korea in the first round of the Bali National Golf Championship on Thursday.
The 22-year-old produced six birdies against one bogey after hitting a poor drive as his par putt lipped out on the fifth hole.
Joshi is enjoying a good run of form as he missed only one cut in six appearances and finished tied second in Bangladesh on the Asian Tour last month.
“This is a good start to the tournament. I’m feeling good about my game and my scores prove it. I came here with a relaxed mind because I’ve heard a lot about Bali. It is beautiful around here. I’m happy and fortunate to be here,” said Joshi in a release.
Lee on the other hand took advantage of his early preparation as he fired a seven-under-par 65 to lead by two shots in the first round.
The 19-year-old teenager arrived a week earlier to prepare for the US$76,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event and his efforts was rewarded with a blemish free round at the Bali National Golf Club.
Ramadhan Alwie was the best placed local player in tied sixth place on 68 with Australians Matthew Giles and Jake Stirling.
Aided by his father who was on his bag, Lee, who is searching for a first ADT win, enjoyed a solid round where he did not miss a single fairway.
“I’m very happy with how I played. I hit it so well off the tees. I also missed only three greens so I would call my round an almost ‘perfect’ round,” smiled Lee, who turned professional two years ago.
“I came here one week earlier so I had the opportunity to play three to four practice rounds. I usually stay back or go earlier for events. That’s my style. My father caddies for me and we are a good team. I pity my dad because he is old and he gets tired but whenever he doesn’t caddy for me, I don’t play well,” he said.