Muniyappa fires hole-in-one, in joint lead

Mumbai: A stunning hole-in-one was the highlight of his card as Indian Open champion C Muniyappa

turned in a four-under 49 to be in joint lead after the opening round of the Crompton Greaves open golf tournament here today. Muniyappa shares the lead with Kolkata`s Raju Ali Mollah, Jaipur`s Vishal Singh and Shaquill Shane of the United States. Manav Jaini, Sandeep Syal, Praduman Singh Guleria and Feroz Ali Mollah wre one stroke off the pace in tied fifth place. The course at the Willingdon Sports Club is undergoing renovation and being re-turfed. As a result of this, holes 7, 8 and 9 will not be in play for the first two rounds and 15 holes will constitute one stipulated round. The par for the course in round one and two is 53. Muniyappa began his day with a bogey on the first but then rallied with birdies on the fourth and fifth. The highlight of his round was the hole-in-one on the 147-yard sixth hole. He then made a 16 feet putt from the edge of the green to birdie the 10th. Muniyappa went on to drop a bogey on the 11th as his tee shot found the water. The 32-year-old closed with a birdie on the 18th. Mukesh Kumar is tied ninth at two under 51. Anirban Lahiri, the current PGTI Order of Merit leader, shot a disappointing four-over 57 to be tied 86th. PTI