Chennai: Mukesh Kumar of Mhow finally found his touch in his quest for the first win of the season, leading the field of 90 golfers with a six under par 66 at the end of the first round of the Hindu Open Golf Championship on Wednesday.

Kolkata's Feroz Ali, who messed up his advantage which he gained on the front nine with five birdies and a bogey, failed to break the jinx on the 17th hole, where he had double bogeyed during the last tournament also.

Ali was in second spot with a five under 67, followed by Pappan of Delhi, SSP Chowrasia (Kolkata) and Vinod Kumar (Delhi) with identical four under par 68 each. Gaurav Ghei, back after playing in the Asian Tour in Taiwan and Kolkata's Rafiq Ali were in sixth and seventh spots with 69 each.

Teeing off from the 10th on a day of trying conditions due to overnight rains, Kumar, who began with a birdie, was consistent with his drives.

While all pros found it difficult to play on the course after overnight rains turned bunkers into water hazards and forced golfers a penalty drop, Kumar was lucky on the sixth hole, where his second shot went into the dry bunker. However, he managed to wriggle out for a birdie.

Current Indian champion golfer, Kumar improved upon his putting. After sinking a birdie on the 12th with a 28 foot chip, he did better in the 14th with a 25-foot putt for a birdie. In all, he had seven birdies and dropped a stroke on the 18th to end up with a six under par score on Wednesday.

Amongst amateurs, Sandeep Syal, who had won back to back events last month here, continued his good form to be joint first with C V Yudvir with 72 each.

PTI