ICTSI Philippine Open: Setback for Anirban Lahiri on opening day

Anirban Lahiri endured a frustrating opening day to card a three over 75, while SSP Chowrasia was the best Indian—tied 10th—after the first round of the ICTSI Philippine Open.

Chowrasia turned in a one-under 71, while Lahiri’s troubled day left him in 56th place. Among the other Indians in the fray, Manav Jaini (73) was tied for 29th, while Abhijit Chadha, Sujjan Singh and Angad Cheema were tied on 56th.

Himmat Rai (77) and Abhinav Lohan (78) were struggling, while Amardip Malik (79) and Digvijay Singh (80) will miss the cut.

Lahiri, currently ranked 64, needs to get into inside the top 60 within a fortnight to be able to participate in the US Open. He will have to win a Manila to do so. Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman fired his best score at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to share the honours with Chan Kim with a six under-par 66. Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, birdied the last hole from five feet to cap his best effort here—set at the 2011 Philippine Open.

Little known Rolando Marabe, a former caddy who turned professional in 1997, led the local charge after shooting a 69 to tie with fourtime Asian Tour winner Chawalit Plaphol in third place.