Miserable first round for Ghei

TROON, July 17: India's Gaurav Ghei failed to live up to expectations, carding a miserable ten-over-par 81 to languish at the bottom of the...

int(3)

TROON, July 17: India’s Gaurav Ghei failed to live up to expectations, carding a miserable ten-over-par 81 to languish at the bottom of the table after early first round scores were announced on the opening day of the British Open here today.

The-28-year-old golfer, who had raised visions of a great show after a stunning performance with an overall seven-under-par 135 score in the qualifier earlier this week, could not sustain his brilliant form in a field dominated by American James Furyk and Ireland’s Darren Clarke (both 67).

Ghei had made his presence felt in the international scene mainly after he had beaten European number one player Colin Montgomerie of Scotland in last year’s Dunhill Cup at St Andrews.

Story continues below this ad

ELS’ COMPLIMENTS: Earlier, Ghei got a pat on the back from South African golfer Ernie Els even as the US Open champ complemented the Asian PGA’s Omega Tour after three players qualified for the main tournament.

According to a fax message received in New Delhi from Omega Tour authorities, Els congratulated Gaurav Ghei of India and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat on their success in making through the tough qualifying rounds on unfamiliar links courses.

Ghei, Mamat and John Kernohan of the United States, the other qualifier, were part of a 29-strong group from the Asian PGA’s Omega Tour who made a bid to play in the British Open.

“This is a step in the right direction for the Omega Tour and them. The Tour has reached a level of play that they can compete against the world’s best,” said Els, who played with Ghei in last year’s Alfred Dunhill Masters in Hong Kong, a specially approved event on the Omega Tour.

Story continues below this ad

“To come through qualifying is almost tougher than to play in the tournament. It is a good experience that they can play in the championship. It is good for the Omega Tour that their players have the talent and the desire to compete in major championships.”

Officials of the British Open also gave their support to the Omega Tour and said they would consider giving a direct entry into the tournament to the winner of the Omega Tour Order of Merit.