Disappointing start for Shubhankar, Chawrasia

Muscat, February 15 

It was a disappointing start for Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and SSP Chawrasia at the inaugural NBO Oman Open as they opened the week with a matching 1-over 73, here today.

Shubhankar got off to a great start with a birdie on 10th and an eagle on 12th, but in between he bogeyed the 11th. He then lost momentum and just managed one birdie against four bogeys in his next 12 holes to with finish with three pars and rued three three-putts.

Chawrasia starting from the first had 10 straight pars, but over the next holes, he had a colorful card. He had four bogeys, three birdies and just one par and ended at 73.

Shubhankar, who played alongside Alex Levy (71) and Andy Sullivan (67), said: "I am disappointed. I was two-under after three holes, but lost my momentum after that."

He, however, did see some positives, saying: "The positive is that I am hitting good, so a good score of 4 or 5 under is possible. The three-putts cost me."  Englishmen Paul Waring and Mathew Southgate took the first round lead with cards of 7-under 65 each and they led Dutchman Daan Huizing (66). —PTI