Randhawa dropped just one bogey against three birdies to emerge as the best Indian and was four shots behind Asian Tour rookie, Javi Colomo of Spain, who outshone more illustrious names with a flawless six-under 64 to take the first round clubhouse lead.
Three players, including India's Himmat Rai were yet to complete their round. They will resume play tomorrow.
Shiv Kapur was tied 27th at one-under 69 which included a bogey on the par-4 17th. Himmat was even par with one more hole to play, while the in-form Gaganjeet Bhullar was off to a modest start with a one-over 71 in tied 54th place. He had three birdies and four bogeys.
Things did not work out too well for SSP Chowrasia (76), Digvijay Singh and Chiragh Kumar, both of whom shot 80 each and were tied 139th.
While Colomo led the field, ltaly's Matteo Manassero, winner in Singapore last week carded 67 and World No. 1 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shot 73.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, twenty years older than Colomo, showed that old is gold when he rolled back the years to take a share of second place with Australia's Andrew Dodt, a former winner at Avantha Masters, with his opening 65.
Trailing a further shot back was China's most decorated player, Zhang Lian-wei who could have returned with a lower score had he not carded a double-bogey six on his finishing par-four 10th. MORE