Almost a decade ago, Mardan Mammat had laid his hands on his first Asian tour crown by clinching the 2004 Indian Open, and the top golfer from Singapore wants to relive that moment with a good performance at the 50th edition of the ongoing USD 1.25 million event.
The 46-year-old, who had won for the first time at the 2004 Royal Challenge Indian Open, blasted a six-under 66 to share the lead with five others after the opening day of the Indian Open at the Delhi Golf Club today.
"I am really pleased with my performance today. I was striking the ball really well right from tee to green. I think patience was the key and I kept myself calm and didn't took pressure," said Mammat, who also won the 2006 Singapore Masters and ICTSI Philippine Open last year.
"I won my first Asian tour event here. It always feels great to play here. The course here suits my game as I am not a big hitter. I have to make sure that I hold my putts in the next three days.
"It was not a good season. Though early on it was okay but last few months I have been struggling with my game. I took two weeks break to help back my rhythm. I hope to turn things around with a good performance here," he added.
Mammat fired as many as seven birdies against a lone bogey at the 17th hole to join India's Rahil Gangjee, Bangladesh's Mohammad Siddikur, Carlos Pigem of Spain and Thailand duo Chapchai Nirat and Pariya Junhasavasdikul at the top of the leaderboard.
"The birdie at the sixth hole was a lucky one. I had found the fairway early on, then I managed to get it away from the bunker. From there I chipped in for a birdie," he said.
"But in the 17th hole, I rushed myself and my grip slipped but I managed to take the ball out of the bunker. But when I was putting, I lost my focus because of a cameraman who was standing there."
Mardan, who is marking his 19th year as a professional, said he was encouraged to see his picture along with the former winners of the Indian Open.
"Yesterday, when I was playing the Pro-Am, I saw my pictures along with the past winners and it gave me a lot of encouragement," he said.
Mardan has not been in the best of form this season as he could not post a single top-10 finish on the Asian Tour. He is currently at the 60th spot on the Asian Tour Order Of Merit.
