Delhi-based Rashid, a winner of 14 titles including two on the international stage, put together seven birdies and a bogey on Thursday to enjoy the sole lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
American Jhared Hack, winner of the season\u2019s first event, was placed second after he carded a five-under 67 in round one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jhared\u2019s round featured six birdies and a bogey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Five golfers including Arjun Prasad, Brijesh Kumar, Saptak Talwar, Manav Bais and Kartik Singh occupied tied third place as they returned matching scores of four-under 68.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid Khan made two birdies and a bogey on the back-nine. The 35-year-old looking to end his seven-year title drought, then produced five birdies on the front-nine to make his way to the top of the leaderboard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid said, \u201cThe course is playing great, different from last time and the pin positions were tricky. But I came up with some good shots and putts and created chances for myself by placing the ball in the right places. I don\u2019t have any expectations and just want to give it my best from here on.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Besides Jhared Hack, the other foreign players who enjoyed a good outing in round one were Frenchmen Clement Sordet and Pierre Pineau as well as Austrian Christoph Bleier, all of whom shot scores of three-under 69 to be tied eighth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid said, \u201cThe course is playing great, different from last time and the pin positions were tricky. But I came up with some good shots and putts and created chances for myself by placing the ball in the right places. I don\u2019t have any expectations and just want to give it my best from here on.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pre-tournament favourites Veer Ahlawat (71) and Yuvraj Sandhu (73) were placed tied 22nd and tied 41st respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n