Chikka hits the front

Bangalore’s S Chikkarangappa shot a blistering seven-under-65 to take the round-one lead at the PGTI Kashmir Masters here on Wednesday. Sri Lankan K Prabagaran was a shot behind the leader in second place.

Chikkarangappa dropped a bogey early on the 11th but landed it close for birdies on the 14th and 17th to make the turn at one-under.

The two-time winner on the PGTI then had a golden run of consecutive birdies from the first to the fifth followed by another birdie on the seventh.

Chikka, who was reading the greens to perfection, chipped-in on the second and made 12 to 15 feet putts on the fourth, fifth and seventh.

Chikka, currently placed seventh on the Rolex Rankings, said, "The practice round yesterday really helped me get it right on the greens which have more slopes than the ones at Pahalgam last week”

K Prabagaran, who also had a good outing in Pahalgam, began with an impressive bogey-free 66 on Wednesday at the Royal Springs Golf Course.

Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik, Bangalore’s Khalin Joshi and Vinod Kumar of Delhi are tied third at five-under-67. Delhi golfer Rashid Khan is a further shot behind in tied sixth spot.