Vijay sets pace on opening day

CALCUTTA, FEBRUARY 15: As the clouds lifted this morning, thoughts of rain and freaky bad weather that sometimes hits Calcutta at this tim...

CALCUTTA, FEBRUARY 15: As the clouds lifted this morning, thoughts of rain and freaky bad weather that sometimes hits Calcutta at this time of the year were forgotten as the Pro-Am competition of the Wills Masters proceeded at the Royal Calcutta Golf Course. The 25 professionals alongwith their three amateur playing partners enjoyed the beautiful playing conditions and rated their chances of taking home the winners cheque worth Rs 3,24,000.

Playing the game like every professional dreams of doing was none other than Vijay Kumar who carded a bogey free seven-under-par and sounded an early warning. With birdies on the par five fourth and the seventh which is considered to be one of the toughest par four holes on the course, he was two under at the turn. But he was unstoppable on the back nine as he birdied almost every alternate hole 8212; the 11th, 12th, 14th 16th and 18th setting a pace for Wednesday8217;s round.

Amidst the hype surrounding this player who has finished in the top ten every year since 8217;88 and hischances of overtaking Feroz Ali in order to stake his claim on the Order of Merit, Vijay played consistently regardless of any such pressure. 8220;I just want to beat the course. I am not concentrating on how Feroz plays. If he finishes 39th, it would not make me very happy to finish 38th. My aim is to beat the course,8221; he said after his round.

Remarking on the round, he said that he had hit the ball to his satisfaction and putted well. With his shoulder in perfect condition, the reason for his withdrawl from the last event played here, the Indian Open in March, he wants to set things right on his home tour before heading out to compete on the Asian PGA tour later this year.

Another good round of the day came from Amish Jaitha who carded a two-under-par, 70. Amish is satisfied with the way his game is developing and is enjoying the healthy competition on the professional tour though he could do with a few more putts sinking to the bottom of the hole. Calcutta professionals, Vinod Pandey and Uttam SinghMundy also brought in good scores. Vinod who frequents the Tollygunge club brought in the only other under par score, of 71.

Playing on his home course, Uttam Singh Mundy played par golf and was content with saving all the birdies for the tournament. He was joined by Feroz, Jumman, and Mohd Islam all carding 72s.

However, not only was Vijay8217;s seven under three strokes short of setting a new course record which presently stands at 63, but his accumulation of 43 points also failed to motivate his team to victory.

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Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia won the Wills Masters Pro-Am title with equally important contribution from his playing partners, CK Prasari and Gopal Kedia. While Chowrasia collected 34 points, Pasari contributed as many as 38 and Kedia put in 36 taking their stableford points total to 108.

The competition was close as Jumman and his team comprising of Ravi Naware, Vikram Singh and H Sahney finished runners-up, one shot behind with 107 points. His amateur team helped along twice Indian Openchampion Ali Sher, who was not too happy with his game but promised to concentrate on the number of strokes he drops from tomorrow. In a partnership with Arun Nanda who collected 39 points and Shekhar Burman who contributed 37 points, they finished as second runners-up with a total of 106.

Scores: Winners: 108: Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia 34, CK Pasari 38, Gopal Kedia 36; Runner-up: 107: Jumman 36, Ravi Naware 25, Vikram Singh 35, H Sahney 36, Second Runner-up: 106: Ali Sher 30; Arun Nanda 39, Shekhar Burman 37, TK Gooptu 11