Monish Bindra grabs lead

Monish Bindra, struggling with his form since the start of the  new season, got into his rhythm and shot a career-best six-under par 66 to take the first day's honours at The Hindu Open Golf 2003 in Chennai on Wednesday.

Unsung heroes Jumman and Gast Ram stole the limelight, occupying the second and third positions respectively. While the stocky golfer from Lucknow shot a four-under 68, Gast Ram submitted a card of three-under 69.

Five other professonals, Rahul Ganapathy, Sandeep Syal, Rajiv Kumar, Rafiq Ali and R Murthy shared the fourth spot with a total of 70, with amateur Gurunath Meiyappan joining them.

Bindra, beginning from the 10th, played solid golf. The 30-year-old Delhi pro made a birdie on the 12th and had a good drive on the par-4 385-yard 15th which left him to work with just a sand-wedge for a five-foot birdie.

On the return journey, the Indian Airlines-sponsored pro began with a birdie and went even better on the par-5 472-yard second hole. Reaching the green with a drive-7 iron shot, Bindra sank a 14-footer for an eagle.

However, even before the celebration had died down, Bindra three-putted on the third for a bogey. But he compensated with birdies on the sixth and eighth, the latter from 35 feet.

In the amateur competition, Gurunath Meiyappan led the field with a card two-under 70.

Top scores after 18 holes (pro): 66-Monish Bindra; 68-Jumman; 69-Gast Ram; 70-Rahul Ganapathy; Sandeep Syal, Rajiv Kumar, Rafiq Ali, R. Murthy; 71-C Muniyappa, Akbar Ali, Gurki Shergill, M Rajnarayan, Mukesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Uttam Singh Mundy.

Amateurs: 70 Gurunath Meiyappan; 78 L Selvadurai.