Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar made a fiery start at the $300,000 Philippine Open as he shot five-under 67 to be tied second at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here on Friday.
Bhullar, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, carded six birdies (second, fifth, eighth, ninth, 12th and 16th holes) against one bogey on the first hole without playing a practice round and hitting a single golf shot in the last two days.
He along with home favourite Miguel Tabuena, Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand and Korean rising star Jeunghun Wang trail leader Lindsay Renolds of Canada by a stroke.
"I didn't play a practice round. I just walked a few holes and that's about it. I didn't do anything on Wednesday and Thursday and was really eager to get out there and hit some good shots which I did," Bhullar said in an Asian Tour release.
"I feel good because the golf course suits my style. I played well. Around the turn it was slightly difficult when it got breezy."
Other Indian players, Shubhankar Sharma and Khalin Joshi were tied 11th and joint 18th after scoring 69 and 70 respectively.
Himmat Rai was tied 38th following a 72, while S. Chikka finished the 18 holes in the 81st place after getting two-over 74.
