Toran Bikram Shahi shines on day one of the DLF Masters 2012

Gurgaon, November 1, 2012: Toran Bikram Shahi of Nepal was the
clubhouse leader on day one of the DLF Masters 2012 after he fired a
four-under-68 at the pristine DLF Golf & Country Club. Defending
champion Himmat Singh Rai of the DLF Golf & Country Club, Kolkata’s
SSP Chowrasia and Chandigarh golfer Randhir Singh Ghotra are in tied
second at three-under-69.

As a result of a 40-minute fog delay in the morning, round one could
not be completed on Thursday due to fading light. Six golfers out of a
total of 120 are yet to complete round one. The first round will
resume on Friday morning and will be followed by the second round
immediately after.

Toran Bikram Shahi had a solid start to the day as he made five pars
in a row and followed that up with a good up and down from the bunker
for birdie on the sixth. The 34-year-old from Kathmandu helped himself
to a birdie on the ninth thanks to a splendid approach shot. Toran
landed it within three feet to set up his third birdie of the day on
the 10th hole. The Nepalese golfer moved to four-under for the day
after another birdie on the 11th. His finished with four-under for the
day after making a couple of birdies on the 13th and 18th and two
bogeys on the 12th and 14th.

Shahi, who resides in Greater Noida when in India, said, “My hitting
and putting was immaculate today. I just had two bad shots on the back
nine that led to bogeys. I landed it close through the day and didn’t
miss any putts except for one on the 12th. I’ll look to consolidate on
this wonderful start.”

Himmat Singh Rai, who was playing at his home course, had a solid
start as he birdied the second, seventh and ninth to make the turn at
three-under. He added another birdie on the 10th before dropping his
first bogey of the day on the 12th. The Delhi-based professional sank
a 15-footer for birdie on the 14th. His final bogey of the day came on
the 16th.

“I kept the ball in play and was in good control of my game. My
hitting was good as I landed it pretty close. It’s a solid start to
the week,” said Himmat, a winner on the Asian Tour.

SSP Chowrasia started off with a double bogey on the first hole but
made a brilliant comeback with an eagle on the sixth and four more
birdies thereafter to end up in joint second at three-under-69.

Randhir Singh Ghotra joined Rai and Chowrasia in tied third. Ghotra
made four birdies against a bogey.

Ajeetesh Sandhu of Chandigarh was placed fifth at two-under-70.


Leading scores:

68: Toran Bikram Shahi
69: Himmat Singh Rai, SSP Chowrasia, Randhir Singh Ghotra
70: Ajeetesh Sandhu