Jamshedpur: Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh emerged as the round one leader at the 10th TATA Open after he shot an impressive bogey-free round of seven under 65 at the Beldih Golf Course on Thursday. Mandeo Singh Pathania from the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, Greater Noida, was in second position as he posted a six under 66 at Beldih.

On Thursday one half of the field played its 18 holes at the par 72 Beldih Golf Course while the golfers in the other half completed their rounds at the par 70 Golmuri Golf Course. On Friday both halves of the field will switch venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, play 18 holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa).

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah took the Beldih Golf Gourse by storm with his seven birdies. The Dhaka-based golfer fetched himself a birdie on the very first hole as his tee shot landed very close to the pin. The wiry 26-year-old then went on a rampage picking up birdies on the third, fourth, eighth, 12th, 15th and 16th to end up with a formidable seven-under.

Zamal said, “My hitting was spot-on today. I started well with a birdie on the first and then kept the momentum going till the very end. I made some crucial par saves through the day as I recovered well from tough situations. I made a long birdie putt on the 16th from about 20 feet that helped me end the day on a high.”   

Mandeo Singh Pathania started off with a bogey on the first hole but roared back with birdies on the third, fourth, seventh and ninth, courtesy his excellent hitting, to make the turn at three under. The brawny six-footer with bulging biceps picked up three more birdies on the back nine – 12th, 13th and 16th – to end the day with a fantastic six under.

“I drove the ball extremely well and landed it dead close to the pin as many as four times. I was in the bunker on six occasions and managed to make up and down from there each and every time. I now feel very confident going into the second round at the Golmuri Golf Course since I also happen to hold the course record (nine under 61) at that venue,” said the 28-year-old Pathania, who won an event on the Aircel PGTI in 2010.

Chandigarh golfer Harmeet Kahlon’s five under 65, the best score at the Golmuri Golf Course on day one, placed him in third position. Jyoti Randhawa was placed tied 16th as he carded a one under 71 at Beldih.