Yannik Paul produced a back-nine birdie blitz to lead the Hero Indian Open by one shot after an entertaining first round at DLF Golf and Country Club.
The German, who came second at last week’s Thailand Classic, continued his fine form on Thursday afternoon as he cancelled out an opening bogey with eight birdies in his next 17 holes to sign for a 65.
Paul finished his round with a flourish, closing with four successive birdies to reach seven under par and overtake home hope Honey Baisoya at the top of the leaderboard.
Morning starter Baisoya had set the early clubhouse target at six under after making eight birdies and a double bogey in his 66.
The 26-year-old sits alone in second, one ahead of Finn Mikko Korhonen on five under, while Indian duo Shubhankar Sharma and Angad Cheema shared fourth spot with Iceland’s Gudmundur Kristjansson on four under.
MJ Viljoen is the best-placed South African after the first round (T8) after carding a two-under 70.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
