Vivek Bhandari, Uttam Mundy, Rahul Ganapthy share 3rd spot

Karachi, Jan 18 (UNI) The Indian trio of Vivek Bhandari, Uttam Singh Mundy and Rahul Ganapathy turned in identical cards of four-under 68 to share the third place after the opening round in the 300,000 dollar Pakistan Open here today.

Local hero Muhammad Shabbir grabbed the opening round lead with a blemish free six-under 66 at the Karachi Golf Club.

A 10th tee starter, Bhandari dropped the lone bogey on the sixth hole but studded his round with a birdie quintet -- two on his front nine and three on the back -- to stay in hunt for a decent finish.

Uttam, meanwhile, was going great gun and birdies on the fourth, fifth, 10th, 13th and 16th saw the Indian approaching the final hole at five-under and there he stumbled, dropping a shot.

Ganapathy, on the other hand, reeled off seven birdies, including five in a remarkable second nine, but was held back by a bogey on the 16th and a double bogey on the eighth.

Defending champion Chris Rodgers enjoyed a bogey free round as he fired 69 in joint ninth place together with, among others, Amardip Malik and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India.

Among other Indians in fray, the quartet of Harmeet Kahlon, Ashok Kumar, Rahil Gangjee and Digvijay Singh shared tied 34th position with 16 others after carding an opening round of one-under 71.

Amandeep Johl and talented S S P Chowrasia had a level par outing and were at tied 54th spot.

Amritinder Singh, Firoz Ali and Vikrant Chopra (all 73) were tied 68th while veterans Gaurav Ghei and Arjun Singh (both 74) fumbled and were at tied 85th position.

Gurbaaz Mann (78), Kanwar Sekhon (80) and Sujjan Kumar (81) brought up the rear.

UNI