Rashid Khan continues his form in Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013, promoted by Sports Mantra and Pro Golf, got underway on Tuesday at The Royal Colombo Golf Club. Over 100 professional golfers, all looking for a share of the prize purse of US$ 70,000; teed off with six amateur from Sri Lanka.

It was an Indian professional who finished day one at the top of the leader-board, Rashid Khan. Winner of the PGTI Player’s Championship presented by Classic Golf Resort, Rashid is carrying lots of confidence under his belt. He was tied for second place last year in the first ever professional golf tournament in Sri Lanka.

Rashid started with five birdies in a row from hole 10. He sank another birdie on 16th but bogeyed the 17th to be five under par at the turn. Rashid dropped another shot at fourth but birdied sixth and seventh to finish his round six under par 65.  “Greens were very slow grass is thick and rough is very difficult to play from. I am feeling good and lucky to have this kind of start. My putting was good and having five birdies at turn was a great advantage.” Rashid said. One shot behind Divyanshu Bajaj, playing for the first time at Royal Colombo Golf Club, started his round with bogey a first, but recovered immediately and sank a birdie on second. After few holes playing par, had an eagle on sixth and then concluded his round with three more birdies (a total of six under par 65). Heavy rain disturbed the practice round yesterday and many players could not practice.

“Playing at this golf course for the first time and not having a practice round was difficult, but I walked few holes yesterday and got feel for the course. The main idea was to keep the ball on fairways and I was lucky to do so. Greens are very slow with heavy rain yesterday. Looking ahead from here, I will keep the balls in fairway and hope for the best.” Angad Cheema and M. Dharma were tied for third place at -4. Dharma had seven birdies and three bogeys but in his round of four under par 67, he used his past experience of playing on the course.  “Course is a bit slow, but luckily it’s not that windy. I missed cut at Golden Greens but I am feeling very comfortable and good here.” newly married Dharma added.

Local hero and winner of the first ever professional golf tournament in Sri Lanka, Mithun Perera finished his round at two under par 69. “The course has changed a lot and greens are playing very slow. Due to heavy rain yesterday, the conditions have changed a lot and adjusting with the current playing condition after playing in India and different part of Asia, is not easy.” Mithun said.  

The tournament continued when all players went out for their second round, at the end of which the field was cut to the top 50 players, who will play Rounds Three and Four on Thursday and Friday to determine the tournament winner.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013 is title sponsored by Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Gold sponsor Dialog Enterprise, co-promoted by Pro Golf, a Colombo based sports events and Distribution Company, and Sports Mantra, a New Delhi based sports events and marketing company.

Top 10 scores of round one of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013:

Rashid Khan -6 (65), Divyanshu Bajaj -5 (66), M. Dharma -4 (67), Angad Cheema -4 (67), Raju Ali Mollah -3 (68), Chikkarangappa S. -3 (68), Abhijit Singh Chadha -3 (68), Vishal Singh -3 (68), Amardip Sinh Malik -2 (69), Shivaram Shrestha -2 (69); Mithun Perera -2 (69) and Dipankar Kaushal -2 (69).