Khon Kaen (Thailand): Indian golfers S.S.P. Chowrasia and Anirban Lahiri took a share of the opening round lead of the $500,000 King’s Cup at the par-72 Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club here Thursday.

Chowrasia charged into the early morning lead with a seven-under 65 while Lahiri, who had an afternoon start, enjoyed a flawless round that was highlighted by seven birdies.

Asian Tour rookie Kalem Richardson of Australia posted a bogey-free 66 to share third place with Thailand’s Phiphatphong Naewsuk and Danthai Boonma at the Asian Tour event.

Chowrasia, who lifted his third Asian Tour title on home soil earlier this month, displayed similar winning intentions with a near perfect card that was otherwise spoilt by a lone bogey on his closing par-four nine.

Starting on the back nine 10th, he made a quick start with three birdies in his opening four holes.

Chowrasia then raced further ahead with five more birdies in his next seven holes after the turn before a bogey on the closing ninth hole put the brakes on his charge.

“I’m pleased with how I’ve played as I shot a really low number. It was unfortunate on the last hole as I hit a good tee shot and again a second shot. But I three-putted there,” Chowrasia said.

“Indian players are doing very well this year and I’ll try to win my first title abroad this week. My season has been very good. I didn’t play well at Q School in Europe but I’m doing well in Asia.”

Lahiri also put up another commanding performance which would bridge the Order of Merit gap with Korean-American leader David Lipsky.

While it is still early days at the King’s Cup, the five-time Asian Tour winner is hopeful of continuing his rich vein of form.

“There’s still a long way to go as it’s just the first day and I’m happy with my start. I’ve got to keep pushing on from here,” the 27-year-old Lahiri said.

‘I played really solid today right from the start and gave myself lots of chances. I took a couple of them but also missed a few but overall it has been a good day,” said Lahiri, who trails Lipsky by slightly over $160,000 in second place on the money list.

Other Indians in the fray, S. Chikka shared 21st position with 14 others after scoring three-under 69 while Rashid Khan and Rahil Gangjee finished tied 59th with 25 others after carding 71.

Arjun Atwal and Chiragh Kumar scored 72 to be joint 86th as Himmat Rai’s poorly three-over 75 saw him taking tied 119th position.

Leaderboard:

65: S.S.P Chowrasia (IND), Anirban Lahiri (IND).
66: Phiphatphong Naewsuk (THA), Danthai Boonma (THA), Kalem Richardson (AUS).
67: Carlos Pigem (ESP), Mo Joong-kyung (KOR), Daniel Chopra (SWE).
68: Jarin Todd (USA), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Prom Meesawat (THA), Varut Chomchalam (THA), Arie Irawan (MAS), Chris Gaunt (AUS), Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Mithun Perera (SRI), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Mathiam Keyser (RSA), Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA).
69: Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA), Jack Munro (AUS), Atthaphon Sriboonkaew (THA), Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR), Annop Tangka,olprasert (THA), Piya Swangarunpro (THA), Supravee Phatam (THA), Ronnachai Jamnong (THA), S. Chikka (IND), Andrew Dodt (AUS), Paul Peterson (USA), Kieran Pratt (AUS), Lee Hyung-joon (KOR), Craig Hinton (ENG), Thepbadin Amaranan (THA).