Indians excel in bid to raise sport's profile at home
By N.Ananthanarayanan
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian golfers led by Jyoti Randhawa excelled on Thursday in their biggest home tournament, boosting hopes the sport's profile can be raised in the cricket-mad nation.
Randhawa shot a seven-under 65 to grab a two-stroke lead after the first round of the inaugural Indian Masters, a $2.5 million event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.
Seven Indians were among the 38 players who shot sub-par rounds on the tight Delhi Golf Club course.
C. Muniyappa, a caddie turned pro, bagged a hole-in-one in his 69 while Shiv Kapur was tied fourth on 68.
"We look at the youngsters coming up and doing great things for the country," Indian number one Randhawa told reporters. "It is good Indian golf is doing well."
He said players like world number four Ernie Els, who struggled to an opening 75 in his first appearance in the country, would do Indian golf the world of good.
"Ernie and Tiger (Woods) have really lifted this game," he said. "Any one of those guys coming here, it says so much about what golf is doing in this country."
