Runchanapong youprayong

Indian Golf Premier League: Aryan Roopa Anand, who recently achieved his first professional title on the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) Tour in Congo last month, was among the early players to start strong in the opening round of the $500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic. The Mysuru native, a twice All-India amateur champion, scored a 4-under 68 and trailed the clubhouse leader, Runchanapong Youprayong of Thailand (65), by three strokes.

Aryan, who had three sub-par rounds while securing victory in Congo, played alongside Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand and seasoned Guatemalan Jose Toledo. After an opening bogey, he regained his rhythm, birdieing three consecutive holes from the third to the fifth before making a second shot. A birdie on the ninth brought him to 2-under at the turn. He added two more birdies on the 14th and 18th, both Par-5s, finishing with a score of 68 and tying for 7th place.

Meanwhile, about half the field was still playing at the lengthy Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco, which stretches 7,448 yards and offers a significant challenge.