Dhaka, January 25, 2010: 

Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow posted a magnificent bogey-free 66 to take the lead on day one of the Aircel-PGTI’s American Express Bangladesh Open 2010 being played at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka. Mohd Milon Ahmmed is in second position at five under 67.

Sanjay Kumar, the joint runner-up from last year, excelled with his short game to be placed at the top of the leaderboard after round one. He found the edge of the green with his second shot on the par five third. He then made a chip-putt for birdie. Sanjay followed this up with another chip-putt from the edge for birdie on the par four fifth hole. The 38-year-old then converted a couple of 10 feet putts for birdies on the sixth and ninth. Two more birdies on the 14th and 15th helped him finish the day at six under 66.

Sanjay said, “I drove the ball well and hit some really good tee shots today. Besides I also hit an extremely good bunker shot on the fourth to save par. Today’s round was an excellent one considering that I am playing with a new set of clubs and am yet to get used to it.”

He added, “I think the winning score this year could go lower than last year’s winning score of 13 under since the fairways and greens are in great shape.”

Bangladesh’s Mohd Milon Ahmmed fired six birdies and a lone bogey to be placed second at 67. Milon, the highest placed Bangladeshi after round one, made 15 regulations on Monday and sank a couple of 15 footers for birdies on the sixth and 10th.

Ranjit Singh of Chandigarh made five birdies against a bogey to be placed third at four under 68.

Mohd Jibon Ali, another Bangladeshi professional, had a hole-in-one (eagle) on the 173-yard eighth hole. His six-iron tee shot fell 10 feet short of the hole and rolled in. Jibon was placed tied fourth along with Indians Gurbaaz Mann and Vijay Kumar at three under 69.

Bangladesh’s top professional Mohd Siddikur Rahman and his compatriot and defending champion Mohd Jamal Hossain Mollah (Amateur) are tied 15th at even par 72.

Shamim Khan of Delhi, the joint runner-up from last year, also shot 72 to be placed tied 15th.