Lahiri takes the honours in round one

Pune: Anirban Lahiri came up with a sensational seven under 65 with the help of nine birdies to take the first day`s honours in the Rs 30-lakh prize money PGTI Players Championship presented by Aamby Valley Golf Course near Lonavla.

The Bangalore-based Lahiri led the field by one stroke with Kolkata?s Rafick Ali Mollah lying second at six under 66. Bangalore`s C Muniyappa and Vijay Kumar of Lucknow are tied third with identical scores of five under 67 while R Murthy, Abhishek Jha and Mohd. Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh shared the fifth place at four under 68.Lahiri had a sizzling run on the front nine, firing five birdies including the last three before the turn. The 22-year-old converted two 15-footers, one for birdying the 11th and the other to par the 16th."I was quite focused today and my wedge-play was top-class. Five of my birdies came as a result of hitting it within three feet of the pin. My ball-striking is also much better than last week," said Lahiri who felt the breezy conditions that added to the golfers` challenge suited him. PTI