Davis fires 65 to lead by two-strokes on day one of India Open

Thu, Nov 11 10 07:21 PM

Gurgaon, Nov 11 (PTI) England''s veteran golfer Laura Davies fired a sizzling seven-under 65 to take a two-shot lead on the opening round of the USD 300,000 Hero Honda Women''s Indian Open here today. Having had to go through the agony of being in the hotel for three days without her golf equipment, the Englishwoman only got news that her golf bag arrived about 9am this morning. "I had to rush to the airport this morning before my tee-off and again make a frantic appeal as the airport authorities did not want to release the bag which arrived from China without signing. The golf officials spoke to the airport people and got my bag released," she said. Back to the DLF Club, Davies said once she got hold of her golf bag, her mood changed for the better and "there you are I played well - seven birdies and without dropping a stroke." Asked about the Henderson Money List, Davies said, "Well, that''s why I''m here - to win and narrow the gap with Lee-Anne (Pace) and then go for the flnal fling in Dubai to decide who gets to win the most money and the bonus that comes with it." Davies said she wants to take her victory tally to 79 with a win at the DLF country and golf club. "I''ve won 78 now. I going for the 79th here and possibly make it 80 at the Eur500,000 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in Dubai from Dec 8-11 at the Emirates Golf Club." Davies'' birdies came on the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 15th and 18th holes. "I played as if nothing eventful had happened to me in India, but the two little girls - defending champion Pornanong Phatlum (72) and local star Sharmila Nicolette (78) kept me good company. They have vast potential. I can see that in them," she said. Two shots behind and in joint second place are unheralded Australian Rebecca Flood who is loooking for a sponsor to help her compete in Dubai and Thailand''s Phol-Uayporn Praewnapa who recorded identical 67. Rebecca ''flooded'' her card with eight birdies but dropped three. "I need to get a good result to help me find a sponsor and end my year on a good note. Did a lot of good putts and that gave me the confidence. I was hitting well," she said. Praewnapa said she hopes this in not going to be a flash in the pan. "Many think it was a luck effort by me, but I think it is my talent as I have put in a lot of hard work," she said. Swede professional Louise Friberg surprised herself by firing a four-under 68 to sit on sole fourth spot, while two players -- Money leader Pace and Italy''s Veronica Zorzi are in fifth place. "It''s only the first round and I hope to perform better tomorrow and in the final round to make it out of reach for Laura (Davies)," said Pace. Among Indians, none of the golfers could bring home an under-par card with Vaishvi Sinha top scoring with a one-over 73 for tied 26th place on day one.

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