JOIN USSudhir Sharma started his professional ambitions on a fine note, seizing the lead in the opening round of the PGTI Final Qualifying Stage-2015 here on Tuesday.
The Meerut golfer shot a brilliant five-under 67 to take a one shot lead at the Eagleton Golf Resort.
Sri Lankan duo of BG Lalith Kumara and Vijitha Bandara were tied for second at 68 while nine golfers were bunched together at 69 on a low scoring day that saw 35 players break par.
Top amateur Udayan Mane, however, endured a disappointing day, carding two-over to lie tied 56th that has left him with a lot of work to do over the next three days.
Playing at his home course, Mane struggled with his driving and putting even as many flourished.
Syed Saqib Ahmed produced a sedate 70 to lie tied 13th while All-India Amateur Champion Trishul Chinnappa disappointed with a 75 on the first day.
Leading scores (after 18 holes):
67: Sudhir Sharma; 68: BG Lalith Kumara, Vijitha Bandara; 69: Ravinder Tavel, Manju BH, Devendra Patel, Siddharth Semwal, Anirudh Goyal, Samaresh Sardar, Pratap Atwal, K Raghav Bhandari, Bhanu Pratap Singh.