Golf: Bangalore's Syed Saqib takes JAT Sri Lanka Open lead in first round

The 2016 Sri Lanka Open sponsored by JAT holdings got off to a great start with Syed Saqib Ahmed placed 6th in the 2015 Open, blasted 8 Birdies to take the lead with a scintillating 65 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club to take a 1 stroke lead from Lalith Kumara who fired 7 Birdies to end on a 5 under 66 due to a Double Bogey on the 3rd Hole. 

The two leaders after day 1 are both Professionals in the Indian Tour and are followed by the defending Champion N. Thangaraja, 2015 Runner-up M. Dharma and B. A. Sanjeewa tied on 1 under par. 

Multiple winner on the Asian Tour Rashid Khan of India, MithunPerera the only Sri Lankan with a Full Tour Card on the Asian Tour and Anura Rohana the 7 time Champion were all Tied in 6th place SIX strokes behind the leader.

Waseem Rana of Pakistan returned the best score for Pakistan with a 1 over 72. 

Khalin Joshi of India returned a 2 over Par 73 a seemingly lack lustre ‘pipe opener’ for a golfer with a growing reputation on the Indian Professional Golf Tour.

After the Qualifying Round 90 Golfers faced the starter and the top challenge from India and Pakistan produced interesting Golf with the Sri Lankan Professionals all in a cluster at the top around the leaders.

The 2nd Round of the JAT Sri Lanka Open will continue on Wednesday (20) and the cut-off will be applied for the Top 35 and Ties. 

JAT Sri Lanka Open 2016 Round 1 Leader Board 

1: 65 (-6) Syed Saqib Ahmed

2: 66 (-5) B.G. Lalith Kumara

3: 70 (-1) N. Thangaraja, M. Dharma, B.A. Sanjeewa

4: 71 (0) Rashid Khan, Mithun Perera, Anura Rohana, N. Amarapathma

5: 72 (+1) Waseem Rana