Binod Pandey scores hole-in-one

The roughs and the fast greens of the Karnataka Golf Association posed the biggest challenge for the pros in the opening round of the Rs One million Hero Honda Open South 2003, the fourth leg of the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour 2003-04 season. As many as three pros -- defending champion Vijay Kumar, Digvijay Singh and veteran Shiv Prakash -- shared the lead after submitting cards of three-under 69 each.

Mukesh Kumar, who carded a two-under 70, is in fourth position. Seasoned pro Gaurav Ghei, Ajay Gupta and Rajesh Chaudhary share the fifth position with a total of 71 while four others share the eighth spot.

However, it was Binod Pandey who stole the limelight by scoring a hole-in-one to record the second hole-in-one of the season. The Kolkata pro aced the par-3 214-yard 15th with a 4-iron shot that pitched four yards from the pin before rolling into the cup. The 33-year-old pro rides away with a brand new 'Hero Honda Passion' motorcycle, an award instituted by Tour umbrella sponsors Hero Honda Motors Limited for the first player to card a hole-in-one in the tournament.

Digvijay Singh, who was battling with a temperature of 102 last night and a bad stomach today, began from the 10th and made an ominous start with a bogey on the 13th after hitting his tee shot on the left and then landing in the bunker. However, the Meerut pro made birdies on the 14th and 16th to take the turn at one-under.

On the back nine, the 31-year-old pro made a superb birdie on the second sinking a 30-footer from left to right. He also had a good chip on the fifth to record another birdie. However on the long par-4 seventh, Digvijay was in trouble after landing in the woods. He then chipped out and missed the par-putt from 12 feet. The last of his birdies came on the par-3 eighth where he holed a 8-footer.

"It was difficult to keep the ball in the fairway and it was a little windy too. I putted well but could have done better as I missed a couple of them from close," said Digvijay after the round.

Meanwhile, Vijay Kumar made six birdies in his round of 69. After opening with a birdie, the defending champion was high in confidence. However on the seventh, he found the water tank on the right and was lucky to get away with a bogey after taking a drop. He three-putted on the 10th for a bogey while making birdies on the 8th, 11th, 14th, 15th and 17th. But for the bogey on the finishing hole where he was in front of the bunker wall, the Lucknow pro would have enjoyed sole lead.

"I was hitting the ball better than last week. The course is in superb condition especially after it rained last night. I hope to defend my title," said the Cosmo Films-sponsored Vijay.

Shiv Prakash made four birdies of which the birdie on the par-3 eighth was the pick of the lot. Hitting just short of the green, the Kanpur-based pro chipped in from 15 feet. His other birdies came on the first, fifth, and 13th. The lone bogey came on the par-4 17th where he two-putted from four feet.

B Gurunath of Chennai led the amateur field with a total of four-over 76 while Abhishek Ahlawat and Hitesh Joshi were four strokes behind the leader.

Top scores (after 18 holes)

Pros: 69_Digvijay Singh, Shiv Prakash, Vijay Kumar; 70_Mukesh Kumar; 71_Ajay Gupta, Gaurav Ghei, Rajesh Chaudhary; 72_Naman Dawar, Rahil Gangjee, Randhir Singh Ghotra, S Madaiah. Amateurs: 76_B Gurunath; 80_Abhishek Ahlawat, Hitesh Joshi.