One-time winner on Asian Tour, Himmat Rai shot two-under 69 to be lying tied 24th in the first round of the Aboitiz Invitational here today.
Himmat, the lone Indian in the field, is now three shots behind seven leaders -- Malaysia's Arie Irawan, Janne Kaske of Finland and local star Angelo Que, who fired matching five-under-par 66s, little known Eugene Sim of Singapore, Thailand's Pijit Petchkasem, Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden and Japan's Masaru Takahashi.
A host of eight players, including 2012 ADT Order of Merit champion Jay Bayron of the Philippines, Thailand's Nirun Sae-Ueng and Australian Mark Leich, trailed by one shot in tied-eighth position at the Aboitiz Invitational.
Defending champion Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines stayed a further shot back in tied-16th position.
