Bangalore golfer S Chikkarangappa was the best Indian at tied 19th after carding two-under 69 in the first round of the USD 750,000 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, here today.
Thailand's Rattanon Wannasrichan delivered a short game masterclass by firing a flawless six-under-par 65 to set the early pace and take a two-shot lead.
Of the other Indians, Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Jyoti Randhawa shot one-under 70 and were Tied-34th, while Khalin Joshi and Rashid Khan shot even par 71 each to be Tied-52nd.
Shiv Kapur (72) was in the danger of missing the cut in Tied-78th, while Rahil Gangjee (74), Jeev Milkha Singh (75) and Chiragh Kumar (76) were further down.
Chikka's effort on the first day included an eagle on par-5 fourth and he also closed with a birdie. He also had a birdie on 11th and bogeys on 10th and 15th.
The highlight of Bhullar's round was an eagle on 18th, his ninth holes and birdies on first, second and ninth.
Khalin Joshi had an electric start with four birdies in first six holes, but after that the birdies dried up and he also dropped four bogeys to go down to even par.
Thai Rattanon, 22, displayed the form that led him to his maiden victory on home soil last year by cruising through with a sparkling first round which was highlighted by six birdies at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club.
Myanmar's Naing Naing Lin showed why he is the country's top player when he returned with a 67 to trail Rattanon by two shots.
He was among the five players bunched in tied-second place which also included 2016 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open champion Shaun Norris of South Africa.
Australia's Kieran Pratt, who put aside his golf clubs and spent two years working in a construction company in Melbourne, delighted himself with a 68 to take a share of seventh place as he continues to rebuild his professional golf career.
Star attraction Ryo Ishikawa of Japan posted an opening 70 to take a share of 34th place, five shots back of Rattanon.
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